A traditional ruler in Lagos State was on Thursday arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly cutting-off four fingers of a suspect brought before him.
Joshua Medepo, 45, the Baale of Atiporomeh in Badagry area of Lagos State, was alleged to have cut the fingers of one Lukeman Ibrahim, who was brought to his palace for alleged stealing.
The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Innocent Uko, told the court that Medepo was facing a one count charge of causing grievous harm.
Uko said that Madepo committed the offence on August 25, at Atiporomeh village in Badagry Local Government Area.
He said: “On that very day, the victim was accused of being a robber so he was brought to the accused who happens to be the Baale of the village.
“Instead of handing over the victim to the police, the Baale decided to take law into his hands and chopped off the four fingers of the right hand of the victim.”
Uko said that the offence contravened Section 243 of the Criminal Law, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.
The section provides a seven-year imprisonment for anyone convicted of the offence.
Counsel to the accused, Joshua Makun, pleaded with the court to grant his client bail since investigation was still ongoing.
Makun said that his client would attend all court proceedings and cooperate with all parties involved.
The Chief Magistrate, Abiodun Etti, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N200,000 and a surety.
Etti said that the surety must provide evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and adjourned the case till September 30 for further hearing.