Herbalist Docked For Assault On Police Corporal In Lagos

A 40-year-old man said to be an herbalist, Idris Fakeye Oluwo has been docked before the Shomolu Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly assaulting a Police Corporal whom he beat into a state of coma.

Oluwo was arraigned on a charge of unlawful assault on Corporal Asu Peter, attached to the Lagos State Police Command, Bariga Division. He was said to have punched the victim on his nose and cheek while on lawful duty.

The police prosecutor told the court that the offence Oluwo committed is contrary and punishable under Section 356(1)and (2) of the Criminal Code Cap C 17, Vol II, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

It was learnt that Oluwo’s landlord, Alhaji Mudashiru Oluokun, reported a case of threat to life by the suspect who was his tenant, and Corporal Peter was detailed to investigate the matter. When he visited the scene of the alleged offence at 6, Kehinde lane, off Alarape Street, Bariga, he invited the defendant to the Bariga Police Station for interrogation.

When the suspect reported at the police station, he demanded to see the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, and when he could not see the DPO, he refused to write a statement. When the IPO, Peter, asked him to do so, he grabbed his shirt and rained blows on him persistently. It was learnt the police corporal slumped and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he regained consciousness six hours later.

When the charge of assault on the Corporal was read to Oluwo, he pleaded not guilty. The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. B.O.Osunsanmi admitted him to bail in the sum of N50,000 and one surety in like sum. The surety must present three years tax payment receipt to Lagos State Government, while the prosecutor will verify his address.

Mrs. Osunsanmi adjourned the matter till 12 January, 2012 for hearing. But because Oluwo Idris could not meet the bail condition in good time, the court ordered that he should be remanded in Kirikiri Prison, Apapa, Lagos.