By Damilola Origbemisuyi, Akure
A suspect, Fawi Bolaji, 29, has been arraigned before an Ondo Magistrates’ Court for attempting to have carnal knowledge of one Ajayi Rikayat, a 76-year old woman.
Bolaji was arraigned before the court on Thursday on two counts of assault, including causing internal and open injuries to the complainant in Ondo city, within the jurisdiction of the court.
The police prosecutor, Benard Olagbayi, said the offence contravened sections 359 and 355 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
The charge read: “That you, Fawi Bolaji, on the 3rd day of February, 2024, at about 03:45 pm, at Oke Odunwo Street, Ondo, in the Ondo State Magisterial District, did attempt to have carnal knowledge of one Akao Rikayat, aged 76 years, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 359 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
“That you, Fawi Bolaji, on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did assault one Ajao Rikayat by inflicting internal injuries and open injuries on her body, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 355 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge preferred against him.
The prosecutor, Benard Olagbayi, told the court that he would be calling three witnesses to testify in the case. He, however, prayed the court to adjourn the case to enable him to present the prosecution witnesses and prepare them for trial.
The defence counsel, David Ogundola, pleaded with the court that his client was innocent of the offence leveled against him.
He urged the court to admit the defendant to bail on the most liberal terms, promising that the defendant would not jump bail if his application were granted.
Magistrate O.A. Omofolarin, in her ruling, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1,000,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She added that the sureties must be credible, reliable, and blood relations who reside within the court’s jurisdiction. She also stated that photographs and passports of the sureties and the defendant must be attached.
Omofolarin adjourned the case until December 19, 2024, for trial.