Lagos court remands driver accused of stabbing couple during drinks bill dispute

A 40-year-old commercial bus driver, Kabiru Olajide, has been remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre after appearing before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Lagos over allegations that he stabbed a husband and wife during a dispute over an unpaid N75,000 drinks bill.

Olajide was arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on assault occasioning harm, malicious damage, stealing and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

According to the police, the incident occurred on May 10, 2026, at a bar located at No. 2, Olamide Igiaba Street, Oribanwa Phase 2, Ibeju-Lekki, owned by Chimezie Okpoechi and his wife, Kate Okpoechi.

The prosecution alleged that the defendant and several accomplices, who remain at large, held a birthday gathering at the bar where they consumed beers and other drinks valued at N75,000.

Police said the disagreement began when the bar owners demanded payment for the drinks allegedly consumed by the group.

Rather than settle the bill, Olajide and his accomplices were accused of attacking the couple, with the defendant allegedly using a broken bottle to stab both victims, leaving them with varying degrees of injuries.

The prosecution further alleged that the suspects damaged several properties within the premises, including the windscreen of a Toyota RAV4, with the total value of the destruction estimated at about N5 million, before fleeing the scene.

Following a petition submitted to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, a special investigative team was directed to investigate the matter and apprehend those responsible.

The police said intelligence-led operations and surveillance later led to Olajide’s arrest at his hideout in Ibeju-Lekki, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the other fleeing suspects.

Prosecuting counsel, Superintendent of Police Reuben Solomon, informed the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offences alongside accomplices who are still at large, adding that the charges are punishable under Sections 411, 314(1)(a), 350 and 168(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Olajide pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Magistrate T.O. Abayomi admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like amount.

Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the court ordered that Olajide be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until July 17, 2026, for further proceedings.