Bus conductor docked for beating trader to pulp

An 18-year-old bus conductor who allegedly assaulted a trader, Ikenna Okechukwu, by beating him to a pulp, was on Thursday in Lagos admitted to bail in the sum of N50,000.

Hafiz Oluyede, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault, is a resident of No. 24, Uwande St., Ogba, Lagos.

An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court which gave the ruling, also ordered that the accused should also produce one surety, as part of the bail conditions.

The Magistrate, Mrs Y.R. Pinheiro, said the surety must be gainfully employed and also show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The prosecutor, Insp. Mathew Akhaluode told the court that the accused committed the offence on Jan. 23 around 7.30 a.m. at No. 6, Ogba Road, Agege, Lagos.

Akhaluode alleged that the accused assaulted the complainant by beating him to a pulp and also using a sharp object to inflict a wound on his head.

“Okechukwu said that he saw the accused defecating in front of his shop around 7.30 a.m. and when he confronted Oluyede about what he had done, the accused instead of apologising, pounced on him.

“Okechukwu reported the case to the Police and the accused was apprehended and taken to the police station,” Akhaluode said.

The offence, according to the prosecutor, contravened Section 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 171 prescribes a three-year jail term for those convicted of assault occasioning harm.

Further hearing in the case was fixed for Feb. 9.