Ozoigbo Ikenna, 40, who allegedly assaulted a staff of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company was on Wednesday arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

Ikenna, a resident of Williams Eliot St. New Oko-Oba area of Lagos, pleaded not guilty to a two-count of assault and breach of peace levelled against him.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Ishola Samuel, told the court that the accused beat up Ms Enyi Eunice while on lawful duty January 20, at the accused residence.

Samuel said that the complainant was performing her official duties by sharing electricity bills, when she was assaulted by the accused in his compound.

He said, “The accused, locked the entrance gate, deprived her of going outside and beat up the complainant for bringing an electricity bill without a constant light.”

He said that Ikenna confronted Eunice about the bill, and she got a beating from the accused and was left with a black eye.

According to him, the case was reported to the police and Ikenna was subsequently arrested.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 171 and 166 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 171 prescribes a three-year jail term for assault and harm.

Following the plea of the accused, the Magistrate, Mr A.R. Onilogbo, granted him bail in the sum of N10,000, with two sureties in like sum.

Onilogbo said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The magistrate adjourned the case till Feb. 22, 2017 for mention.

Punchng