For allegedly stabbing a trader with a broken bottle, a 26 -year-old cart pusher, Kelechi Onwubike, on Monday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
Onwubike, who resides at the Ketu area of Lagos, is facing a charge of assault, to which he pleaded not guilty.
The defendant committed the offence on Jan. 18 at Ladipo Road, Mushin, Lagos, the Police prosecutor, Insp. Aondohemba Koti, told the court.
Koti said the accused stabbed the complainant, Sunday Agade, because he insisted that he should pay for a bottle of perfume he broke at his shop.
“The accused broke one of the perfumes of the complainant, the complainant insisted that he must pay but the accused refused and tried to escape.
“While the complainant held him, the accused picked a bottle, smashed it on the ground and stabbed him all over his body.
“The complainant left him and he took to his heels, but he was apprehended by some other traders who handed him over to the police,’’ he said.
It was reported that the offence contravened Section 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 and it attracts a three-year jail term for convicted offenders.
In her ruling, the Magistrate, Mrs M.O. Tanimola, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Tanimola said the sureties must be gainfully employed and should show evidence of two years tax payments to the Lagos State Government.
The case was adjourned until Feb. 13.