Trader Docked For Beating Up Policeman In Lagos

A 33-year-old trader, Femi Oyekunle, who allegedly beat up a police officer, was on Monday arraigned in an Apapa Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. Oyekunle, a resident of Ajegunle area of Apapa, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful assault. The Prosecutor, ASP Soji Ojaokomo, told the court that the accused committed the offences on April 16 at Awodi-Ora Estate, Ajegunle. Ojaokomo said Oyekunle with others still at large conspired to assault a police officer, Owoeye Dada, and also beat him to  pulp while performing his lawful duty. “The complainant said he was trying to settle an argument between the accused and one Alhaja when Oyekunle with another still at large assaulted him,” he said. The offences, Ojaokomo noted, contravened the provisions of  Sections 171 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the accused may be sentenced to a two- year jail term if found guilty. Senior Magistrate Patrick Adekomaiya  granted the accused bail in the sum of N20,000 with one surety in like sum. Further hearing in the case was fixed for May 13.