A retired soldier Lt.Col. F. Ofodile and 10 others, appeared before an Abuja Magistrate's Court on Thursday for allegedly beating up a Journalist and two others for taking their pictures during a fight.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Simon Ibrahim, told the court that on Oct. 26, one Ben Atonko of Media Trust Newspapers, Udosen Imoeke of Maku's Plaza, Wuse II and one Ademola Kayode lodged a complaint against Ofodile and 10 others.
He said Ofodile, Emeka Okeke, Abia Edet, Olumba Inyang, Joshua Abu, Precious Anebo, Bassey Edet, Ojona Ahmed, Okafor Boniface, Obi Clement and Nwike Emmanuel all of an NGO called RAPSON, beat up the Atonko and Imoeke at No. 24, Okotie Eboh Street, Utako in Abuja.
The Prosecutor said the beating caused one of the complainants an injuiry to his mouth and leg, while his Nokia handset valued at N16,000 and another Nokia set valued at N4,000 got missing.
Ibrahim alleged that Atonko's MD 9000 Panasonic camera, valued at N850,000 also got damaged during the beating.
He said the offences were punishable under Sections 79, 264, 265 and 327 of the Penal Code.
Magistrate, Hauwa Aliyu, asked the accused whether they understood the crime they allegedly committed and they responded that they did but denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
The Magistrate granted them bail in the sum of N100,000 each and one surety each.
She also ordered that the sureties must be civil servants on any grade level or persons with means of livelihood.
She adjourned the case till Nov. 9 for further mention.
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