Nigerian dancehall star, Damini Ogulu, also known as Burna Boy, was,
yesterday, docked before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court by Lagos State
Police, over his alleged role in the robbery of a fellow musician, Abiye
David Jombo, also known as Mr 2Kay, in October.
Mr 2Kay, who was allegedly robbed at gunpoint in his hotel room at the
Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on October 22, during the
Buckwyld ‘N’ Breathless concert, where he also performed, lost some
items to the attackers.
. The Police had invited Burna Boy in connection with the robbery. But
he appeared after two months. He was subsequently arrested and detained
after he turned himself in. Recall that some suspects, including Joel
Kantiock, Burna Boy’s Road Manager, were paraded among those arrested
for the robbery. Others were Balogun Ademola, Obinna Igwe and Tunmise
Omotore, who were subsequently arraigned in court.
Charged
Burna Boy, who was taken to court yesterday, was arraigned on a
count-charge, bordering on ‘accessory after the fact’ and ‘conspiracy’
brought against him, to which he pleaded not guilty. According to the
prosecutor, Inspector N. Peters, Burna Boy did not disclose what he knew
about the robbery. However, Burna Boy’s lawyer, Bright Idahosa, asked
the court to grant his client bail in the most liberal terms, a move
which was not opposed by the Police prosecutor.
The lawyers that represented Eko Hotel and Suites and Mr 2Kay’s record
label, Grafton Entertainment, however, opposed the bail application,
while insisting that Burna Boy is a key witness in another case in which
the main suspects in the robbery case against Mr 2Kay are standing
trial. Specifically, Tayo Reju, holding watching brief for Eko Hotel and
Suites, pointed out that should Burna Boy be granted bail, it would
jeopardise the other case at a Lagos State Magistrate’s Court.
The presiding magistrate, Mrs B. O. Osunsanmi, after listening to both
parties, granted Burna Boy bail of N100,000 with two responsible
sureties, while the matter was adjourned till December 29 for trial to
commence. There was, however, a mild drama as Burna Boy was shielded by
security operatives, who prevented reporters from taking his pictures,
while he was whisked away in an ash-coloured Toyota Sienna. According to
the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Imohimi Edgal, the
suspects were paid N50,000 before the attack on Mr. 2Kay and another
N50,000 was paid directly by Burna Boy after the attack.
‘Lost items’
Mr.2Kay was allegedly robbed of his Swiss Audemars Piguet, an automatic
gold wristwatch, valued at $25,000; gold jewellery valued at N1.5
million; an iPhone 7, valued at N380,000, a Samsung Galaxy S7, valued at
N240,000; Samsung Galaxy S5, worth N110,000; Adidas shoes, N75,000;
three bottles of perfume, N180,000, and a cash sum of N45,000.
Vanguard