An Itire Magistrate’s Court has directed the police to investigate the claim by a woman, Adetomiwa Bank (26), that she was a patient of the Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos.
Magistrate A.A. Adefulire gave the order at the resumed hearing on Tuesday of a case against Bank, who allegedly used a razor on her neighbour during a fight.
Adetomiwa was on March 7 charged for assault and causing bodily injury on Nike Servano at 15 Ramoni Oke Str., Itire.
According to the charge sheet, the accused lacerated the face and forehead of one Nike Servano with a sharp razor blade which caused her serious injury.
It said the offence was punishable under Section 335 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 of Law of Lagos State 2004.
Adefulire frowned at the lack of thorough investigation concerning Adetomiwa’s mental state, after a patient’s card from the Psychiatric Hospital was presented as one of the reasons for her absence in court.
He, therefore, advised the police to investigate the case thoroughly before arraignment and to cross check claims at appropriate places.
Adefulire also warned journalists against reporting beyond what were said in court, saying such an act amounted to contempt of court and the writer and his organisation risked being prosecuted.
The Magistrate was reacting to a protest by the complainant’s counsel, Williams Tolulope, that two newspapers in their report in April misrepresented the court’s proceedings and portrayed his client in bad light.
Adefulire adjourned the case till Jan.25 for further hearing.
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