The police on Wednesday arraigned a 40-year-old man, Umaru Garuba, before an Akure Magistrates’ Court for allegedly biting off the ear of a suspect in police detention.

The police Prosecutor, Insp Adebayo Suleiman, told the court that the defendant was arrested on June 5 for stealing N35,000 belonging to one Yakubu Salisu and detained in the A Division Police Station, Akure.

Suleiman said that the defendant, on June 6 in the police station’s cell, used his teeth to cut off the ear of one Tope Oladele who was also in the cell.

The offences, according to him, are contrary to and punishable under Sections 390 and 335 Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. I, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge preferred against him.

The Investigating Police Officer (IPO) in charge of the case, Insp Yetunde Daramola, told the court that a policeman had to force the severed ear out of the defendant’s mouth.

The Defence Counsel, Mr O.O. Oladapo, applied for bail for the defendant in liberal terms, stating that his client was still presumed innocent until otherwise proved.

The Magistrate, Mr Damilola Sekoni, adjourned the case till June 16 for ruling on the bail application. (NAN)

 An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Tuesday remanded three men at the Ikoyi Custodial Centre for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old girl (name withheld).

The state government arraigned Owhe Oghenero, Kingsley Oni,  and  Olorunwa Abina on a one-count charge of defilement.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Justice Rahman Oshodi thereafter remanded them at the Ikoyi Custodial Centre, where they were currently being held.

Oshodi adjourned the case until Oct. 27 for commencement of trial.

Earlier, the state counsel, Ms Bukola Okeowo, told the court that the defendants committed the offence sometime in 2023 at Aradagun Area in Badagry, Lagos.

Okeowo alleged the defendants defiled the girl, by having unlawful sexual intercourse with her.

She said the prosecution would present  five witnesses against the defendant.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offence contravenes Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.(NAN)

 The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has apprehended  a driver who allegedly attempted to run away after  causing an accident that resulted in the death of a pedestrian.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

The statement was signed by Mr Taofiq Adebayo, Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA.

Bakare-Oki said that the lone accident involved a black Toyota Tundra with registration number FST 222 HV and occurred at the Mosalasi Roundabout on New Ipaja Road.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the vehicle, speeding, veered uncontrollably off the carriageway, mounted the pedestrian walkway, and fatally struck a woman who died instantly from the impact.

“The momentum of the vehicle subsequently propelled it into a nearby private premises known to be engaged in the sale of livestock, where it inflicted significant structural damage to the perimeter fence and an adjoining advertising billboard.

“The driver, upon realising the gravity of the calamity he caused, made a frantic attempt to flee the scene.

“However, thanks to the prompt, coordinated and courageous intervention of officials from LASTMA. The suspect was swiftly apprehended and restrained,” he said.

He added tha LASTMA operatives handed the driver over to security personnel from the Gowon Estate Command, who were present at the scene of the incident.

“The remains of the deceased woman were respectfully relinquished to officers of the Nigeria Police Force for requisite procedures.

“Subsequent developments confirmed that the suspect has been taken into custody and is currently undergoing rigorous interrogation by police authorities as part of an ongoing and thorough investigation into the incident,” he said.

The LASTMA boss expressed sadness  over the loss of life and condoled with the bereaved family.

Bakare-Oki charged motorists  to subject their vehicles to routine safety checks, with particular emphasis on the integrity of braking systems.

He said that adherence to traffic regulations was not merely a legal obligation but a moral imperative to safeguard lives and property.

“The Lagos state traffic management authority remains steadfast in its commitment to enforcing traffic laws and promoting road safety culture throughout the state,” he said. (NAN)