Two women living in a public compound in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, have engaged themselves in fracas and inflicted grievous bodily harms on each other over kitchen space.
The fight turned bloody and disastrous on April 16, 2024 as they used dangerous weapons such as knives and clubs on themselves.
The suspects, Ezeh Sandra and Igwe Precious who are residents of No. 3 Umunya Street, Abakaliki, inflicted knife cuts and hot water burns on themselves following the disagreement.
However, one of the women was recently arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Abakaliki by the Police for alleged offence of conspiracy with intent to maim by pouring hot water on one Mrs. Igwe Precious’ right shoulder.
The defence counsel, Alfred Nwizzi applied for bail of his client and told the court that his client was in pain following knife cuts inflicted on her by the complainant.
Inspector Bassy Okon, the Police prosecutor opposed the bail application on the grounds that the defendant would jump bail having seen the level of grievous body harm she inflicted on the complainant through the hot water
According to the Police Prosecutor, the defendant committed an offence punishable under Sections 516A(a) and 332(1) of the criminal code cap 33 volume 1 laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009.
The charge read in full, “That you Ezeh Sandra and others now at large on the 16th day of April 2024 at No. 3 Umunya street Abakaliki in the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: Assault with intent to maim and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516A (a) of the criminal code cap 33 volume 1 laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009.
“That you Ezeh Sandra and others now at large on same date and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did with intent to maim, disfigure unlawfully wound one Igwe Precious by pouring hot water on her right hand and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 332(1) of the criminal code cap 33 volume 1 laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009.”
After the defendant pleaded not guilty, the trial Magistrate Lynda Ogodo having considered facts of the matter, granted Sandra bail so as to continue receiving medical treatments on the injuries she sustained during the fracas.
She granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50, 000, with one surety who must be resident within jurisdiction of the court.
The matter was adjourned till May 17 for hearing.
