DSS Arraigns Two Artisans for Cloning Ambode’s Phone Number

The Department of State Security (DSS) wednesday arraigned two artisans before an Isolo Magistrate Court for allegedly cloning the mobile line of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

The suspects – Rilwanu Jamiu and Balogun Stanley Oyewole who claimed to be a cocoa dealer, were said to have attempted to perfect a N50 million transfer with the said mobile line.

Prosecuting counsel from the DSS, Mr. Peter Okerinmodun, told Chief Magistrate Adeola Adedayo that the suspects were arrested after using the cloned mobile line of the governor to send a text message to the Accountant General of the State requesting for transfer of N50 million.

He said the suspects conspired with others now at large to commit the crime on February 10, 2016.
After the charges were read to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty, while the prosecutor asked that they should be kept in protective custody pending the outcome of the legal advice of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) in view of the fact that their lives could be endangered by other suspects who are on the run.

But Magistrate Adedayo overruled Okerinmodun, saying the DSS ought to have kept them in custody judging by the fact that their lives could be in danger.

She said since the offence for which the accused persons were charged was bailable and the fact that the Magistrate Court is a court of summary trial, she was inclined to grant bail to the accused persons.

She, therefore, admitted them to bail in the sum of N1 million each and two sureties in like sum.
Adedayo ruled that one of the sureties must be a religious or community leader within the jurisdiction of the court, and that the accused persons must provide five years tax clearance certificates.

She further ordered the accused persons to be remanded in Kirikiri Prison pending the perfection of the conditions attached to their bail, and adjourned the matter to May 10, 2016.