Court slams N500,000 bail on labourer for manslaughter

An Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, on Friday slammed a N500,000 bail on a labourer, Sunday Hyacinth, for alleged manslaughter of Onwe Ozoemelem.

The Magistrate, M.O. Olajuwon ordered Hyacinth to produce two sureties in like sum.

Olajuwon said the sureties must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

Hyacinth, who is facing a charge of manslaughter, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Julius Babatope had told the court that the accused committed the offence on Dec. 30, 2016, at about 4.00 p.m., at Festac Link Bridge, Lagos.

Babatope said a fight had ensued over an undisclosed matter and in the process, Hyacinth threw a deadly punch on the chest of the deceased which led to his death.

The offence contravened Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The case was adjourned till Feb. 6 for mention.