From Femi Mustapha and Divine Macaulay, in Kaduna
A 35-year-old woman, Jennifer Monday, appeared before a Magistrate Court in Kaduna, on Tuesday, facing charges of assaulting her sister, Ruth, with a wooden log.
The defendant, a resident of Maraba Rido, is charged with two counts: assault and causing grievous harm.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Chidi Leo informed the court that the alleged incident occurred on June 6 at approximately 7:00 p.m. at the defendant’s residence.
He explained that the complainant had visited the defendant to discuss their ailing mother, and that during their conversation, a disagreement arose, and the defendant struck her sister on the head with a log of wood.
Following the incident, Ruth was taken to the hospital, where she reported the matter to the police, leading to Jennifer’s arrest.
The charges violate Sections 58 and 284 of the Kaduna State Penal Code of 2017. Section 58 carries a potential one-year prison sentence upon conviction, while Section 284 imposes a minimum sentence of five years.
Despite the charges, the defendant pleaded not guilty. Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel granted her bail in the sum of N200,000, requiring one surety in the same amount. The surety must be a blood relative of the defendant and provide four recent passport photographs to the court. Additionally, the surety must present evidence of tax payment to the Kaduna state Government.
The case was adjourned to July 20 for further hearings.
