A 24-year-old man identified as Abiola Abdulsalam, was on Wednesday arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate Court for allegedly beating the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) female officer when she was distributing energy bills in Osogbo.
He was docked on one-court charge bothering on unlawful assault of IBEDC staff.
The Police prosecutor, Mr. Abiodun Fagboyingbo informed the court that Abdulsalam committed the offence on 4th May 2020 at Dada Estate area, Osogbo.
According to the charge sheet “Abdulsalam on the 4th day of May 2020 at about 12:05pm at Dada Estate area Osogbo, unlawfully assaulted one Oladepo Kemisola ‘f’ while performing her lawful duty as IBEDC staff by using slippers to beat her to the extent she sustained an injury on her right finger.”
He contended that the offence committed contravened section 355 of the Criminal code cap. 34 vol. II Laws of Osun State Nigeria 2002.
However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him, saying he did not beat the complainant.
Abdulsalam argued that, “I only acted on self-defence using the palm slippers when she slapped me. She accused me of energy theft which I know nothing about.
The defence counsel to the accused, Barrister Funsho Muritala made an oral bail application for his client on the most liberal term.
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara admitted the suspect to bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties and adjourned the case to 9th of June 2020.