Police arraign businessman, 29, for assaulting 2 police officers

The police on Thursday arraigned a 29-year-old businessman, Manya Obiora in a Kado Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, for assaulting two police officers.

Obiora, who is a business man and repairs cell phones, resides at Zone 7, Lugbe, Abuja.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Simon Ibrahim, told the court that the matter was reported by two police officers: Cpl. Kelechi Odurobi and Cpl. Henry Ossia, attached to Utako Police Station, Abuja, on June 11.

He said that on same date, the officers went to Kanapy market, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, to invite one Chidi for allegedly receiving stolen property.

Ibrahim said that Obiora left his shop to the place of arrest and hindered the police officers from doing their lawful duty.

He added that the officers later asked him to excuse them to avoid the accused from escaping lawful arrest.

The prosecutor said that rather than allowing the police officers to carry out their duty, Obiora held Cpl. Henry Ossia and assaulted him badly with his working tools.

He said the accused even threatened to dismiss the officers from the Nigeria Police Force.

Ibrahim said this made the initial accused to escape lawful arrest, adding that the offence contravened sections 167, 267, 397 and 327 of the Penal Code.

However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge against him and the Judge, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, granted him bail in sum of N50, 000 and a surety in like sum.

Sadiq ordered that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and adjourned the case until Aug. 3 for further hearing.