Man docked for beating a policeman

A 30-year-old man, Tunde Ajani, who allegedly beat up a policeman, was on Wednesday brought before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Ajani, a resident of Ajegunle area of Apapa, is facing a two-count charge of breach of peace and assault.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Kokoye Olusegun, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Sept. 9 at Layeni Police Station, Ojo Road, Ajegunle-Apapa, Lagos.

Olusegun said that Ajani assaulted a police officer, Paul Okonkwo, by pulling his uniform and punching him, while performing his lawful duty.

“The complainant said he was trying to explain an issue concerning the conduct of the accused to him, when he got angry and started rough handling him,’’ he said.

The offences contravened Sections 166 and 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Section 171 prescribes three-year jail term for assault occasioning harm, if found guilty.

The Senior Magistrate, Mr M.A Etti, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Etti said the sureties must be gainfully employed and should show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

Further hearing in the case was fixed for Nov. 4. (NAN)