By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
The Police in Edo, on Monday arraigned one chief Johnson Atseleghe ‘m’ 54 years , the Iyesere of Warri, before an Evbuoriaria Magistrates’ court , in Benin over alleged assault on an Female octogenarian .
The defendant, Johnson Asteruleghe, the Iyasere of Warri, is being tried on a one count charge of assault, with charge No: MEN/ 204/ c / 2022
Police Prosecutor, N. A Ukpebor Esq . told the court that the defendant committed the offence on the 31st of December, 2021 and 1st day of January, 2022 at Ologbo Community, Ikpoba-okha local government Area , Edo State.
The Prosecutor, said the defendant did unlawfully assaulted one Female, Grace Tietie’ F’ by beating her up with fist blow and inflicted injuries on her head and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 351 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol.11 Laws of the Defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976 as applicable in Edo State.
Ukpebor said the offence contravened Sections 351 of the Criminal Code Cap. 48 Vol. 11 Law of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976, now applicable in Edo.
If found guilty, section 351 prescribes one year jail term for assault
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.
The Magistrate, Festus Okoro , admitted him to bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum, who must be a resident within jurisdiction of the court.
The magistrate, thereafter, adjourned the case till 22 of March 2022 for further hearing.
Recall that an octogenarian, 84yrs old Mrs Grace Tite Keke of Ologbo dukedom in Ikpoba okha Local government area of Edo State has called on relevant authorities to come to her rescue as she was allegedly beaten up by one chief Johnson Asteruleghe, the Iyatsere of Warri kingdom and his boys .,
Mrs Tite Keke said some persons led by the Iyatsere of Warri, Chief Johnson Asteruleghe beat her and some other persons over a certain festival normally held by the Itsekiris residing in the community
She said, ” Trouble started when a rival group stormed the festival ground challenging their authority to hold the festival without the consent of the Ityasere.
“This didn’t go down well with the other group who felt since there was an Enogie on the ground in Ologbo Dukedom and having approved, it was not proper to get other clearance from any other quarter.This however ignited crisis which led to alleged manhandling of some indigenes.
Narrating her ordeal, the 84 year old woman Mrs. Grace Tite Keke alleged that loyalists of Ityasere of Warri, Johnson Asteruleghe pounced on her having not satisfied with the Festival processes.
She said those who came to rescue her and sympathized with her were not spared as they also got their share of the beating from the dreaded loyalists of Chief Johnson Asteruleghe.