Man, 56, docked for allegedly hitting hammer on neighbour’s forehead

A 56-year-old man, Patrick Amam, who allegedly hit one Nanya Dutse with a hammer on her forehead, on Thursday appeared before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court, Lagos. Amam, a resident of No.99, Orodu St., Ajegunle, Apapa in Lagos, is standing trial on a charge of assault. The Prosecutor, Cpl. John Iberedem, told the court that the accused committed the offence on May 6 at his residence.

Iberedem said that Amam unlawfully assaulted Dutse by beating and hitting her with a hammer on her forehead, which caused her bodily harm. “The complainant said she mistakenly poured part of the water she had fetched from a well on the body of Mr Amam’s wife who was standing by the same well. Dutse said that Amam’s wife did not give her the opportunity to apologise to her, only for Amam’s wife to be shouting and insulting her.

“The complainant said that the woman went into her apartment and reported the matter to her husband who came out with a hammer in his hand. “Dutse said the accused did not even listen to her side of the story, instead he pushed her away and hit her on her forehead with the hammer in his hand, ” Iberedem said. The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Section 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Section 171 stipulates three years’ imprisonment for assault occasioning harm. However, the accused pleaded not guilty of the charges preferred against him. The Senior Magistrate, Mr G.L. Otepo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000, with one surety in like sum and he adjourned the case till May 18 for mention.