Beggar docked for allegedly assaulting 11-year-old boy

A 20-year-old beggar, Adamu Audu, who allegedly attacked an 11-year-old boy with a stick, on Friday appeared in an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

The police charged Audu with assault occasioning harm.

The Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Donjour Perezi told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Aug. 4, at No 3, Powerline New Garage, Ojota.

”At at about 2:30 p.m. the complainant, Mrs Ajoke Faroro, said that the defendant met her in front of her shop at the above-mentioned address with her 11-year-old grandson.

“She said that she told the defendant that she does no have any money to give him and told him to go away.

“The little boy also told the defendant to go away. But suddenly, he hit the boy with a big stick ton the head,” he said.

Perezi alleged that the little boy fainted and was taken to the hospital where he was revived and treated for his injuries on the head.

The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of Section 173 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 173 prescribes a three-year jail term for convicted offenders.

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

Magistrate Bukola Mogaji admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum whose addresses must be verified.

Mogaji adjourned the case until Oct. 10 for mention.