Two men were brought before the Chief Magistrates’ Court 4 in Yaba, Lagos State, on Wednesday, accused of assaulting and using a machete to injure the left hand of a man named Ali Yaga in the Elepete area of Ibeju Lekki. The defendants, Suraju Azeez (37) and Opeyemi Kabiru (24), were presented by the Lagos State Police Command before Magistrate O.A Salawu.
According to the prosecutor, Godwin Oriabure, the defendants, along with others who are currently at large, committed the offense on June 14, 2023, at approximately 5 am in the Elepete area of Ibeju Lekki, Lagos. The charges against them were in violation of Sections 411 and 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
The charges stated that on June 14, 2023, at approximately 5 am in the Lagos State Magisterial District at Elepete, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, Suraju Azeez, Opeyemi Kabiru, and others at large conspired to commit a felony by assaulting Ali Yaga, causing harm, which is punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
Furthermore, the charges stated that on June 14, 2023, at approximately 5 am in the Lagos State Magisterial District at Elepete, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, Suraju Azeez, Opeyemi Kabiru, and others at large intentionally and unlawfully assaulted Ali Yaga by using a machete to injure his left hand, which is punishable under Section 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
While Suraju Azeez pleaded not guilty, Opeyemi Kabiru pleaded guilty to the charges. Magistrate Salawu granted Azeez bail in the amount of N200,000 with two sureties who must provide the same sum, and ordered that Kabiru be held in custody while the case file is sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The magistrate adjourned the case until September 14, 2023, for mention, as well as for the presentation of facts and the sentencing of Kabiru.
