NAN – A 39-year-old businessman, James Andrew, on Thursday appeared before an Abule Egba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly beating up his father in-law.
James, who resides at No. 3, Oku St., off Sholuye Street, Gbagada, Lagos, is standing trial on a two-count charge of assault and unlawful damage to property.
The prosecutor, Insp. Rachel Williams, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Sept. 6 at his father in-law’s residence at No. 22, Fadare St., Ogba.
Williams said that the accused who visited his in-law’s house with his family had an argument with his wife who recently returned from the U.S.
“A fight subsequently ensued with the couple throwing blows at each other; the wife’s parents who heard the dispute rushed out to intervene.
“The accused pushed his father in-law, Mr Jacob Idunorba, and hit him several times in his eyes and caused him injuries on the eyes and legs,’’ she said.
Williams also said that the accused damaged a table in the home.
He said that the offences contravened Section 166 (d) and 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Section 171 provides that anyone found guilty of assault is liable to three years imprisonment.
The magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias, granted the accused bail in the sum of N250, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
He also ordered the accused to pay N50,000 to the  office of the Chief Registrar of the court, and adjourned the case till Nov. 10 for mention.
