A 60-year-old man, Ogungbe Emmanuel, was arraigned on Wednesday before the Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly assaulting his wife’s lawyer. Emmanuel faced charges of assault and breach of public peace in connection with the incident.
The defendant, whose residential address was not provided, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge. The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on May 15 within the premises of the Chief Magistrates Court Ebute-Metta West.
Inspector Kolade Tedunjaye, the prosecution counsel, informed the court that Emmanuel assaulted Alowonle Yetunde, the lawyer representing his wife in an ongoing family matter. Tedunjaye detailed that during the course of her professional duties, Yetunde was attacked by Emmanuel, resulting in serious injury.
The prosecution argued that Emmanuel’s actions constituted a violation of sections 168 and 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which pertain to public peace disturbance and assault.
In her ruling, Magistrate O.O. Ikobayo granted Emmanuel bail in the amount of N500,000, with two responsible sureties required in like sum. She further stipulated that one of the sureties must own landed property, and that Emmanuel must surrender his passport to the court.
The case has been adjourned until June 7 for substantive trial, during which more details of the incident and the defense’s arguments will be presented.
This case underscores the importance of maintaining decorum within legal proceedings and the severe consequences of deviating from such standards. Legal professionals and their clients are reminded that disputes should be handled within the confines of the law, respecting the roles and safety of all involved.