Policewoman battered by palm wine seller over missing N150,000

On Friday, a woman identified as Florence Samuel appeared before an Osun State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Osogbo for assaulting a police sergeant, Caroline Olaitan.

Florence, a 28-year-old palm wine seller at a shop located in the Balogun Agoro area of Osogbo, allegedly beat up the policewoman and resisted arrest when Caroline visited her pub following allegation that the sum of N150,000 belonging to a patron was missing.

The palm wine seller, who was arraigned on charges bordering on assault, a breach of the public peace, conspiracy and stealing, was allegedly with a customer, Ayodele Ogundipe, when another customer, Taiwo Yusuf, visited the pub on September 10, 2020, around 9.45am, with the sum of N150, 000, which eventually got missing.

She was arraigned alongside the 59-year-old Ogundipe. The police prosecutor, Adeoye Kayode, explained that Florence assaulted Caroline by beating her and tearing her uniform, while the policewoman was performing her lawful duty.

The offences were said to be contrary to and punishable under sections 356, 249 (D), 251, 516 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Counsel for the defendants, Mr Najite Okobe, prayed the court to commit them to bail.

Adeoye, however opposed the bail application, saying it would jeopardise evidence. The presiding magistrate, Mr Adebayo Ajala, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N400,000 each with one surety in like sum. He adjourned the matter till October 13, 2020, for hearing.