CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 32-year-old woman, Esther George Inam, was arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court in Lagos over allegations that she bit a housewife, Esther Shokanlu, on the lip during a public brawl in Mafoluku, Oshodi.
The defendant appeared before Magistrate Mrs. O. Kasunu on a six-count charge marked 119/2/28/2 filed by the Commissioner of Police. The case was prosecuted by SP Philip Ademigbuji.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged incident occurred on June 20, 2026 at about 8:00am at Mafoluku, Oshodi, within the Ikeja Magisterial District.
In Count I, the prosecution alleged that Esther George Inam and two others now at large conspired to commit felony, to wit wounding and stealing. The offence was said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
Count II alleged that Esther George Inam inflicted serious wound on the upper lip of Mrs. Esther Shokanlu and removed flesh from that part of the body during the altercation. The prosecution stated that the act was punishable under Section 246(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
In Count III, the charge stated that the defendant unlawfully assaulted Mrs. Shokanlu by allegedly slapping her on the right side of her face, which caused bodily pain. The offence is punishable under Section 170 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
Count IV alleged that the defendant also assaulted the housewife by allegedly inflicting a human bite on the left part of her head, which caused bodily harm. The prosecution said this is contrary to Section 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
In Count V, Esther George Inam and the two others now at large were accused of stealing one Redmi 14C light black coloured phone valued at Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira, property of Mrs. Esther Shokanlu. The prosecution alleged that the act was contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
Count VI accused the defendant and the two others of conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by allegedly constituting nuisance in a public place. The offence is said to be punishable under Section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
Magistrate Mrs. O. Kasunu granted her bail with two sureties. The court ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed, reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and provide verifiable addresses. She further ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody at Kirikiri Correctional Center pending perfection of bail conditions.
The charge sheet was signed by CSP Akinrodoye Fisayo Ola of Makinde Divisional Headquarters, Mafoluku, Oshodi. The Investigating Police Officer was listed as Insp. Endurance Oyagbarha.
The matter was adjourned for mention.
Under Nigerian law, every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.