KINGSLEY EBERE
A 31-year-old man, Emeka Agwu, has been arrested and charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court in Lagos for allegedly punching a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Osuji Austine, on the mouth during an arrest attempt.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 23rd April, 2026.
The Police said Emeka and others now at large attacked DSP Osuji Austine at Ababaganla area, Ikate, Lagos, while the officer was performing his lawful duty.
He was charged for the alleged assault and obstruction of Police duties under the Criminal Law of the State.
According to the Police, the defendant, Emeka, “unlawfully and intentionally assaulted” the DSP by hitting him with a fist blow on his mouth and inflicting injury on him.
The operatives led by SP Banti Adamu, Officer in Charge of Tactical Squad 1, Lagos State Command Headquarters, Ikeja, arrested and detained him at the Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
While being interrogated, the defendant, Emeka was found culpable for obstructing the DSP from carrying out his duties by blocking and preventing DSP Osuji Austine from effecting an arrest at Ababaganla.
He was subsequently charged before the Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
Legal experts say Section 174 carries a heavy penalty because it protects Police officers on duty. Assaulting a Police officer can attract up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine, or both under the Lagos Law.
The charges read:
“That you, Emeka Agwu, ‘m’ and others at large, on the 23rd day of April, 2026 at about 1500hrs, at Ababaganla area of Ikate Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully and intentionally assault one Osuji Austine a Deputy Superintendent of Police in the Nigeria Police Force while performing his lawful duty by hitting him with your fist blow on his mouth and thereby committed an offence Punishable under Section 174(a)(b)(c)(e) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
COUNT II: “That you, Emeka Agwu ‘m’ and others now at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did obstruct one Osuji Auatine ‘m’ a Deputy Superintendent of Police in the Nigeria Police Force while performing his lawful duty at the above mentioned place and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 117(1)(1) and punishable under Section 117(1)(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ihkayere, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, granted him bail with two 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 defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.