Alleged Assault: Court adjourns trial of Iyesere of Warri to March 10

The Evbuoriaria Magistrates’ Court in Benin, on Tuesday, adjourned the trial of the Iyesere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Johnson Atseleghe, over alleged assault until March 10.

Our correspondent reports that the absence of the prosecution witnesses in court due to the biting fuel scarcity stalled the trial of the Warri chief alleged to have assaulted an octogenarian, Chief Grace Tietie, on Feb. 7.

The defendant is being tried on a one count charge of assault.

Tietie, 84, is the Keke of Ologbo Dukedom in Ikpoba-okha Local Government Area of Edo state.

At the resumed hearing of the case, the Police Prosecutor, Mr N. A. Ukpebor told the court that his witnesses were finding it difficult to come to court from Ologbo as a result of the fuel scarcity.

Ukpebor therefore urged the court for an adjournment in order for his witnesses to be present in court to give their evidence.

Consequently, the Magistrate, Mr Festus Okoro adjourned the case until March 10 for hearing.

The prosecutor, had told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Dec. 31, 2021 and Jan. 1, at Ologbo Community, Ikpoba-okha Local Government Area of Edo.

Ukpebor said that the defendant did unlawfully assaulted Chief Grace Tietie by beating her up with fist blows and inflicted injuries on her head.

He said that the offence contravened Section 351 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol.11 Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976, as applicable in Edo State.

If found guilty, Section 351 of the Criminal Code prescribes one year jail term for assault

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.

Magistrate Okoro had admitted the Iyesere to N100,000 bail with one surety in like sum, who must be a resident within jurisdiction of the court.