Welder charged with assaulting lover with razor blade for refusing overtures

A 32-year-old welder, Ayo Jona, who allegedly lacerated his girlfriend’s body with a razor blade for refusing his overtures, was on Friday charged before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State.

The accused, who resides at No. 28, Old Market Way, Badagry, is being tried for assault occasioning harm.

The prosecutor, Insp. Innocent Uko, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Jan. 1 at 11.10 p.m. at his residence.

He said the accused assaulted his girlfriend, Jennifer Ukah, with a razor blade for allegedly turning down his sexual advances and inflicted injuries on her.

According to Uko, the woman is still receiving treatment at a hospital in Badagry.

The offence contravened Section 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, he said.

Jona pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Mr Rotimi Tajudeen, counsel to the accused, urged the court to grant him bail since investigation was ongoing.

He also promised that the accused would not jump bail.

Ruling on the bail application, the Chief Magistrate, Abiodun Etti, admitted the accused to a bail of N200, 000 in addition to one surety in like sum.

He directed that the surety should present evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government as part of the bail conditions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 171 prescribes three years imprisonment for offenders.

Further hearing has been fixed for Jan. 31. (NAN)