CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Ejigbo has arraigned two women on Wednesday, July 8, over allegations of assault and conduct likely to cause breach of peace on Muritala Mohammed Street in Ikotun.
The defendants were Oluwatosin Kolawole, 32 and Ayoola Oladimeji, 57. Both women appeared before the court to take their plea before Magistrate Mrs A.K. Dosumu.
The matter was filed by the Commissioner of Police before the Lagos Magisterial District against the defendants. It was listed as one of the matters for the day.
According to the charge read in court, the incident was alleged to have occurred on July 1 at about evening hours on Muritala Mohammed Street, along NC Ikotun Idimu Road. The area is a busy commercial part of Ikotun.
The prosecution stated that Oluwatosin Kolawole and Ayoola Oladimeji were alleged to have engaged in a confrontation with one Oluwatosin Babalola. The disagreement was said to have drawn the attention of residents in the area.
It was alleged in the first count that the defendants conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by slapping and pushing within public view.
The charge further stated that the two women were alleged to have jointly assaulted Oluwatosin Babalola during the disagreement. The complainant was said to have sustained no major injury.
In the second count, the defendants were alleged to have unlawfully assaulted Oluwatosin Babalola by slapping her and pushing her to the ground. The alleged assault was said to have occurred during an argument.
The allegations were said to have taken place at the same date, time and location as stated in the charge sheet before the court. The case was later reported at Idimu Police Station.
During proceedings, the plea of both Oluwatosin Kolawole and Ayoola Oladimeji was taken and recorded by the court. They pleaded not guilty to all the counts read to them.
The prosecutor, SP Benedict Aigbokhan, asked the court for a date for hearing to enable the Police to prove the allegations. He told the court that investigations had been concluded.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. A.K. Dosumu-Uthman, granted them bail with two sureties. The sureties must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
Legal representation was announced for the parties. Counsel appeared for the defence while the prosecutor represented the Police in the matter.
The court adjourned the case to August 4 for further hearing. Legal experts say the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court.