A 40-year-old man, Umaru Garuba, was on Wednesday arraigned before an Akure Magistrates’ Court for allegedly biting off the ear of a fellow suspect while both were in police detention.
According to the police Prosecutor, Inspector Adebayo Suleiman, the incident occurred at the A Division Police Station in Akure, where Garuba had been detained on June 5 after being arrested for allegedly stealing ₦35,000 from one Yakubu Salisu.
Suleiman told the court that on June 6, while in the detention cell, the defendant used his teeth to bite off the ear of another suspect, Tope Oladele, who was also in custody at the time.
The charges against Garuba are in violation of Sections 390 and 335 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. I, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.
The Investigating Police Officer (IPO), Inspector Yetunde Daramola, revealed in court that a policeman had to forcibly retrieve the severed ear from the defendant’s mouth.
Defence counsel, Mr. O.O. Oladapo, requested that the court grant bail to the defendant on liberal terms, arguing that his client remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Magistrate Damilola Sekoni adjourned the case until June 16 for a ruling on the bail application.
Comments are closed.