Businessman docked for allegedly assaulting police officer

A businessman, Amaji Cliton, was on Friday docked in a Kado Grade I Area Court, Abuja for allegedly assaulting a police officer while on duty.

Cliton of Idu Sabo FCT, Abuja, is charged with assault of a public servant while performing his lawful duty.

The Prosecution Counsel, Stanley Nwafoaku, alleged that on Sept. 20 at about 11:30pm, the complainant Ukpuko Okon, of the traffic department attached to Utako Police Division FCT had a confrontation with the defendant.

Nwafoaku alleged that the defendant violated the traffic light rules at the Jabi junction, and was asked to accompany the police officer to the station; however, the defendant formed criminal intentions.

He told the court that the defendant assaulted the complainant, tore his uniform.

The prosecution council alleged that during police interrogation, the defendant admitted to the offence.

The offence, he said, contravenes the provisions of Section 267 of the Penal Code law.

The defendant however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His defence counsel, Kuzayet Magaji made a bail application for his client in the most liberal terms.

Magaji made the application citing sections 36 of the 1999 constitution and sections 158 of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 promised that the defendant will not jump bail if granted same.

The prosecution counsel, however, did not object to the bail application made by the defence counsel.

The Judge, Malam Muhammed Wakili, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N100, 000 and one surety in like sum.

Wakili ordered that the surety must provide a BVN print out, recent passport photograph and a valid identification card, which must be verified by the court registrar.

The Judge adjourned the matter until Dec. 20, for hearing.