A 45-year-old old trader, Michael Onyeka, who allegedly damaged groundnut and honey bottles valued at N5,000, on Wednesday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.
Onyeka, a resident of No. 25, Odejobi St., Agege in Lagos State, is facing a two-count charge of wilful damage and misdemeanour.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Hafsat Ajibode, told the court that the accused wilfully and unlawfully damaged groundnut and honey bottles valued at N5, 000.
He said that the bottles belonged to Mrs Mary Ogunniyi, a neighbor of the accused.
He said that the accused destroyed the bottles following a disagreement.
Ajibode said that the accused committed the offences on April 10 at 2:00 p. m. at No. 25, Odejobi St., Off Iju Road, Agege, a Lagos suburb.
The prosecutor said that the accused threatened the complainant and her family verbally after the complainant had refused to sell a sachet of water to him.
“The accused started hurling abusive words on the complainant. In the process, the accused broke bottles of groundnut and honey, ‘’ Ajibode said.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 56 and 350 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 350 prescribes two years imprisonment for wilful damage, while Section 56 provides a one-year jail term for misdemeanour.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Mrs G. O. Anifowoshe, granted him bail in the sum of N5, 000 with one surety in like sum.
Anifowoshe adjourned the case until April 30 for mention. (NAN)