9th January, 2017
A 44-year-old woman, Nneka Ilokw, who allegedly assaulted her 16-year-old step-sister with a red-hot iron, was on Monday in Lagos released on bail in the sum of N50,000.
An Ogudu Magistrates’ Court which gave the ruling, also granted the accused two reliable sureties as part of the bail condition.
The Magistrate, Mrs. O. Sule-Amzat, said the sureties must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and deposit N30,000 each into the Chief Registrar’s account.
The accused, who resides at Olowora-Berger on the outskirts of Lagos, had pleaded innocence of the offences of assault and causing grievous harm.
The accused committed the offences on Dec. 26, 2016 at her residence, the prosecutor, Sgt. Ihiehie Lucky said.
He said the incident was reported at Ketu Police Station on Jan. 3 by a neighbour.
He alleged that the victim, who has been living with the accused since 2012, had suffered serious maltreatment in the hands of the woman.
“She always beat up the girl and the victim said it was not the first time the accused had used a hot iron to attack her.
“The accused said she was annoyed with her sister because she went out on Dec. 25 with her 17-year-old daughter and did not return until the next day.
“The victim said she wanted to run away but the accused locked the door and battered her with a hot iron on her back but she left her daughter, who is a year older,” he told the court.
The offences contravened Section 170 and 243 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Under Section 170 the accused, on conviction, may be sentenced to one-year imprisonment, while Section 243 stipulates seven years for grievous harm.
The case was adjourned to Jan. 19 for mention.