MICHAEL AKINOLA
Domestic violence between a couple, Chinedu Amalu, 33, and his wife, Gabriella Machebe, 33, has escalated as the matter has moved from the Police to the Lagos Magistrate Court.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the couple was charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court on 20th October, 2025, facing charges of breach of peace, neglect of family, assault, and property damage under the Criminal Law of the State.
According to the Police, the incident happened on 3rd June, 2025, at their residence in FESTAC Town, Lagos.
The husband, Amalu, was accused of breaching public peace by physically assaulting his wife and failing to provide for their three children, violating Sections 168(d) and 247(1) of the Lagos State Criminal Law 2015.
The wife, Machebe, was charged for assaulting her husband, Chinedu Amalu, by hitting him on the forehead and biting him as well as damaging his Lexus vehicle, contravening Sections 173 and 335 of the same law.
They were charged before the Court by the Police operatives from the Gender Section of the Lagos State Command after the parties failed to reconcile despite the Police efforts to reconcile them.
The matter is being prosecuted by Police Officer, SP Noumfiok Emmanuel, and the investigation was handled by PC Merit Duru of the Gender Unit, Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja.
The charges read:
“That you, Chinedu Amalu ‘m on the 3rd day of June 2025, at 4th Avenue, 401 Road, B Close, Block 2 Fiat 9. FESTAC Town, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace by beating your wife and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 168(d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT II:”That you, Chinedu Amalu, m’, on the same date and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did fail to provide necessary things for your three children and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 247(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
COUNT III: “That you, Gabriella C. Machebe ‘f on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did assault one Chinedu Amalu “m”, your husband by blowing him on his forehead and biting him on his body and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 173 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT IV: “That you, Gabriella C. Machebe ‘f on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did destroy the Lexus vehicle’s windscreen and other parts of the car belonging to your husband, one Chinedu Amalu ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 335 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
However, they pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Supol Philip Ademigbuji, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since they pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that they actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, granted them bail with sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendants were remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.