…As 2 corps members are docked over assault

The police, on Monday, arraigned a 57-year-old landlady, Mrs. Augustina Anyanaso, before a Life Camp magistrates’ court for allegedly restraining her tenant from moving out and inciting public disturbance.

The police charged Mrs. Anyanaso who resides in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, with wrongful restraint and inciting public disturbance.

The Prosecution Counsel, ASP Peter Ejike, told the court that the complainant, Ms. Grace Alu of Khartoum Street, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, reported the matter at the Wuse Zone 3 Police Station on June 9.

The prosecutor alleged that on the said date, the complainant brought a truck to move her belongings because her rent had expired.

Ejike further alleged that after the complainant moved her things into the truck, the defendant locked the gate with a padlock and stopped the truck from moving out.

The prosecutor further alleged that the situation persisted until some military officers came to her rescue.

The offence, the prosecutor said, contravened the provisions of Sections 256 and 114 of the Penal Code.

Mrs. Anyanaso, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against her.

Counsel to the defendant, Simon Ugbe, prayed the court to grant the defendant bail, citing Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution and 158 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

Ugbe told the court that the defendant was still presumed innocent, stating that the she was a mother and was managing some health challenges and would not jump bail.

He added that the defendant also had a responsible surety who would meet the bail conditions and would not interfere with police investigation, hence should be granted bail on self-recognition.

Magistrate Chinyere Nwecheonwu, after listening to the counsel, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety in like sum and ordered that the surety must have a means of livelihood, a valid identity card, fixed address and must live within the jurisdiction of the court.

She then adjourned the case to July 21, for hearing.

Similarly, the police arraigned two corps members before the Life Camp magistrates’ court for allegedly assaulting their co-tenant.

The police charged Phoebe George (23) and Uzoma Chiwendu (23) of Marcon Estate, Life Camp, Abuja, both Youth Corps members, with joint acts of assault and criminal intimidation.

The Prosecution Counsel, ASP Peter Ejike, told the court that the complainant, Ajoke Ajondele of Marcon Estate, Life Camp, Abuja, reported the matter at the Life Camp Police Station on June 2.

Ejike alleged that on the said date, while the complainant was driving out of the house, the defendants grabbed and dragged her out of her car and began to assault her.

The prosecutor further alleged that the assault caused severe body injury to Ms. Ajondele, and that her phone was destroyed with her wig disentangled and wrist watch lost.

Ejike also alleged that the defendants had consistently assaulted the complainant and made life unbearable for her since she moved into the building.

He said, during police investigation, both defendants admitted to the assault.

The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of Sections 79, 265 and 397 of the Penal Code.

George and Chiwandu, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Magistrate Chinyere Nwecheonwu admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N100,000 each and one surety each in like sum and ordered that the sureties must have a means of livelihood, valid identity cards, fixed addresses and must live within the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned the case to July 21, for hearing. (NAN)