Police arrest carpenter, two others who roasted apprentice’s legs

The police in Lagos State have arrested a carpenter, Gbenga Rufai (25), and two other suspects, Ajose Olanrewaju (25), and Lekan Ibrahim (27), for their alleged involvement in the roasting of Lekan Dauda‘s legs at Jakande, Ilogbo area of the state over a missing N3,000 deposited by a customer for a carpentry job.

PUNCH METRO gathered that the suspects were picked up last week at different locations in Ajangbadi and Ijanikin in the state. However, it was learnt that another suspect is still on the run.
Rufai and his friends got into trouble after PUNCH METRO reported how Dauda, an apprentice with Rufai, was tortured and had his legs burnt by his boss and his friends over the missing money. It was gathered that the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo, mandated the Divisional Police Officer in the area to investigate the case and report to him.
A senior officer at the state police headquarters, who craved anonymity, told our correspondent that the suspects might be charged with attempted murder.

“That (attempted murder) is what the CP said they should be charged with. When he looked at the case file, he was convinced that the police could charge the suspects with attempted murder. You know he is a lawyer,” the source said.
Lagos State police spokesman, Mr. Frank Mba, who confirmed the arrest said the suspects had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti. “Once they (SCID) conclude their investigation, the men would be charged to court. It is too early to tell you what charges we are preferring against them. I know that assault causing grievous bodily harm will also be one of them. The suspects will be taught a lesson that you cannot abuse a child in Lagos and go scot-free,” he said.

PUNCH METRO had reported that on May 11, 2010, a customer deposited N3,000 for Rufai, which Dauda claimed was lost before Rufai returned to the workshop. But Rufai believed that Dauda stole the money.
To ensure that Dauda “confessed,” Rufai and his friends allegedly beat the apprentice with wire and poured pepper on his body.
Still not satisfied, the suspects allegedly tied Dauda’s hands with a rope, hung them to the roof of the shed, heaped saw dust under his feet and ignited it with fire.
At Ever Life Hospital, Ijanikin, Dauda was diagnosed with third degree burns.

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