On Tuesday, a 43-year-old teacher named David Yusuf was brought before the Wuse Zone II Magistrates’ Court in Abuja by the police.
He stands accused of allegedly physically assaulting a student from the Government Girls College in Kuje, FCT, without provocation.
The defendant, who is reported to be a casual staff member of the college, faces two charges: causing grievous harm without provocation and assault.
He has pleaded not guilty.
The police prosecutor, Mr. Edwin Inegbenoise, informed the court that the case was initially reported at the Kuje Divisional Police Headquarters but was subsequently transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department, FCT, for further investigation.
According to Inegbenoise, the complainant, Henry Iortim, residing at Union Homes Estate in Kuje, reported that on June 2, his 16-year-old daughter, a student at the college, was allegedly assaulted by the defendant during a night prep session.
The defendant purportedly used an iron rod to flog the victim, resulting in injuries to her palm and other parts of her body.
The charges against the defendant are in violation of sections 241 and 326 of the Penal Code.
Magistrate Abdulmajid Oniyangi granted the defendant bail in the amount of N2 million, with two sureties who must also reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
The court registrar will verify the addresses of these sureties before the defendant’s release.
The case has been adjourned until November 6, when it will proceed with the hearing and presentation of witnesses by the prosecuting counsel.
