‘Strong’ Student Arraigned For Beating Up Policeman

The police on Monday in Abuja arraigned a 22-year- old student, Ibrahim Salisu, in a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court for beating up a policeman.
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Salisu, who lives at 4, Olumo Rock, Amasco Plantation Estate, Galadimawa in Abuja, is charged with joint criminal force and assaulting a public servant.
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The prosecutor, Cpl. Anigbo Paul, told the court that Cpl. Chijioke Jacob of the Lugbe Police Station had lodged a report against the accused at the station.
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He said the report was lodged on Feb. 9 at about 9 p.m.
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Paul told the court that, on the said day, the accused had gone to the complainant’s house as he was about to park his car and beat him up.
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The prosecutor said the accused and three others now at large beat the complainant while he was dressed in uniform and started trying to take his rifle from him.
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He told the court further that, during investigation, Salisu confessed to committing the offence.
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Paul said Salisu’s action was in contravention of the provisions of sections 79 and 267 of the Penal Code.
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Reports have it that the accused, if convicted, is liable to three years’ imprisonment or an option of paying a fine or both.
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The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
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After arraignment, the accused’s counsel, Mr Ikechukwu Nnaemeka, applied to the court for bail according to Section 341 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).
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The prosecutor objected and prayed the court not to grant the accused bail.
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The Senior Magistrate, Mr Celestine Odo, in his ruling however said the prosecutor failed to show the court how granting the accused bail would jeopardise ongoing investigation.
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Odo also admonished Salisu’s counsel for failing to state the contents of the section he cited in his argument, saying “a lawyer should be prepared before coming to court’’.
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He then granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000.
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The magistrate also said this must be with a surety in like sum, who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court and must be a public servant.
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Odo said the surety should present his or her office identity card and appointment letter.
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He then adjourned the matter to March 3 for hearing.