Man, 22, Charged For Causing Harm, Unlawfull Extortion

A 22-year-old man,
Monday Tete, on Friday appeared in an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, charged with causing bodily harm and unlawfully extorting money from public road users.
Tete, who is unemployed and has no fixed address, is facing a three-count charge of assault, unlawful extortion and breach of peace.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Clement Okuoimose, told the court that the accused committed the offences on December 18 at Total Filling Station in Oyingbo, Ebute Meta, Lagos.
Okuoimose said that the complainant, Ismiah Ali, a commercial driver was stabbed by the accused in his back, head and body which caused him bodily harm.
The prosecutor told the court that the accused used a broken bottle to carry out this act.
Okumoise told the court that Tete assaulted the complainant because he refused to comply with his illegal act of extorting money unlawfully from road users.
The prosecutor said the accused also conducted himself in a manner which caused breach of peace, fear and panic to other members of the public.
He stated that the offences contravened sections 171, 68(2) and 166(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The Tide reports that if the accused is found guilty, he is liable to imprisonment of not less than three years.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Counsel to the accused, Mr A.O Etoh, appealed to the court that the accused be granted bail.
Meanwhile, the prosecutor told the court that the nominal complainant was present in court.
He opposed the bail on the grounds that the complainant had proof of the harm inflicted on his body.
The Magistrate, Mrs Badejo Okunsanya, however, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 with a surety who must be gainfully employed.
Okunsanya said the surety must provide receipts of tax clearance and a genuine proof of residence and adjourned the case to January 21 for further hearing.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi (left) of Oyo State congratulating acting Chief Judge of the State, Mr Mukhtair Abimbola, during his swearing-in in Ibadan, recently