An Abuja based Businessman Joseph Danladi, was yesterday charged to court in a Kado Grade I Area Abuja for allegedly beating one Joshua Caleb with a stick until he lost consciousness and collapsed during the fight.
Danladi, who is a resident of Gilmore, Jahi, Abuja, is charged with causing grievous hurt and screening an offender.
The Prosecution Counsel, Stanley Nwafoaku, told the court that the matter was reported at the Life Camp Police Station by the complainant, Stephen Johnson who resides beside Chief Palace, Kado village, Abuja on March 11.
Nwafoaku said that the defendant during an argument attacked Caleb with a stick and beat him up until he lost consciousness and had to be rushed to Gwarinpa General Hospital before he regained consciousness after some hours.
The prosecutor said that during police investigation, the defendant was arrested and detained along one Mansur Adamu who punched the complainant in the face during the fight between the defendant and Caleb.
Nwafoaku added that at the police station, the defendant stood as a surety for Adamu and he was released to go and inform his relatives about his whereabout, get his phone and return to the station.
The prosecutor said that however, since Adamu was released on March 12, he failed to return to the station, ultimately making the defendant liable to the offence of screening an offender.
He said that during police investigation also, the defendant confessed to have committed the offence.
The offence, he said, contravened the provision of sections 245 and 167 of the Penal Code.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The judge, Muhammed Wakili, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N200,000 and a surety in like sum.
He then directed that the surety must provide a passport photograph, any valid means of identification and a BVN printout from his bank.
Wakili also adjourned the matter until May 19 for hearing.