Lawyer Jailed 6 Months For Assault On Policeman

An Abuja senior magistrates’ court has sentenced a lawyer, Jeff Mbatsavdue, 42, to six months imprisonment for beating up a police constable, Alumbugu Yohanna.

The police prosecutor, Emmanuel Adikwu , told the court that on 22 July, 2010, Mrs Jane Ifead, came to Maitama Police Station and requested for a police officer to follow her home to invite someone to the station over a matter.

Adikwu said Yohanna was detailed by ASP Dawan to accompany Ifead to her house and on getting there the policeman was assaulted by Mbatsavdue.

He said Yohanna became unconscious and was rushed to the Maitama General Hospital for treatment.

The prosecutor said the accused was charged with criminal trespass, criminal force and assault as well as attempt to deter a public servant from discharging his duty, contrary to Sections 342 and 267 of the Penal Code

Section 342 of PC says: “Whoever enters into or upon property in the possession of another with intent to commit an offence or to intimidate, insult or annoy any person has committed a criminal trespass.

Section 267 of PC says, “Whoever assaults or uses criminal force on any person being a public servant in the execution of his duty or deter that person from discharging his duty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine or both.

In her judgment, Senior Magistrate Hauwa Aliyu, said all the evidence before the court proved that the accused committed the offence.

When asked by the court to show why he should not be punished, Mbatsavdue prayed the court to be lenient with him.

Mbatsavdue said: “I am a lawyer of 14 years at the bar. I have never been convicted of any offence.

“I am a married man with children and I also have dependants. I am praying this honourable court to be lenient and have mercy on me and give me an option of fine.”

Aliyu, however, did not give the accused an option of fine, saying his sentence would serve as deterrent to others.

She sentenced the accused to six months imprisonment inaddition to a fine of N10,000.