A counsel for one of the defendants, Olabode Olanipekun, had filed a motion against the police, asking that the duo be produced in court. The police, however, appeared without the defendants, saying they had information that some hoodlums were planning to attack the court. The chief magistrate said the police had no excuse for the action, adding that it was their duty to provide adequate security for the defendants. PUNCH Metro had reported that Nyong and Taiwo were arrested by the police for the collapse of a five-storeyed building in the Lekki area, in which no fewer than 35 people were killed. Our correspondent had reported that the accused were arraigned in court on March 11, where the police filed an application for their remand pending the conclusion of investigations. At the resumed hearing of bail applications of the two defendants on Wednesday, Botoku, who stood down the matter for an hour, ordered the police to produce the two defendants before their bail applications would be heard and determined. But to the surprise of the chief magistrate, the police failed to produce the two defendants. Defending the police action, the prosecution, led by Godwin Osuyi of the Legal Department, SDCI, informed the court that the police failed to produce the two defendants due to an intelligence report that some hoodlums planned to attack the court. “In the interest of safety, it is not advisable for the police to bring the suspects to court,” he added. However, lawyers for the two defendants, Olanipekun and Femi Uangboje, affirmed to the court that the police had informed them earlier that they did not have the defendants in court. They urged the court to apply its judicial discretion in entertaining the excuse. Consequently, Botoku in her ruling disagreed with the police submission, saying the court would not submit to a threat and it was the duty of the police to ensure adequate security for the duo. She adjourned the matter till Thursday (today) and ordered that the police produced the defendants in court.]]>