Police prosecutor, ASP Olusoji Ojaokomo, has arraigned a 16-year-old seamstress apprentice, Cecilia Ukpa before an Apapa Magistrate’s Court on one count of assault after she poured boiled water on a senior colleague of hers following an argument.
It was gathered that the trio of the victim, identified as Albert, the accused and their boss all stay in the same house located at Meyiga Street, Ilogbo, in the Ajangbadi area of Lagos State.
On the fateful day of Tuesday, June 23, 2015 the victim reportedly directed Albert to take the generator into the house after it was used in the shop, but Ukpa remained obstinate and asked her to send another person as their boss already sent her on another errand.
Ukpa’s suggestion irked Albert and a face off ensued subsequently before the suspect poured the hot water on Albert.
Narrating the incident, Ukpa, said, “On the June 23, Abigael (Albert) and I were in shop when our boss sent me to go and wash plates.
“I wanted to wash the plates when one of my seniors sent me to take the generator inside. I told her that our boss had sent me on an errand; that she should send Abigael or another person.
“As I was going to fetch water to wash the plates, the senior dragged me back and slapped me repeatedly. Abigael too started abusing me and we fought each other. She inflicted injury on my face before we were separated.”
Punch gathered that Albert had come to the kitchen to cook around 6pm the following day and met Ukpa boiling water. They reportedly kept each other at arm’s length.
Ukpa reportedly pored the boiled water on the victim as she was deeply engrossed with the cooking task.
The incident was later reported at the Ilemba Hausa Police Division before she was arrested and subsequently charged to court.
The charge read, “That you, Cecilia Ukpa, on June 24, 2015, at about 6pm, on Meyiga Street, Ilogbo, Ajagbandi, Lagos, in the Apapa Magisterial District, did unlawfully assault one Abigael Albert, 17, by pouring hot water on her body, which caused her grievous harm and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 243 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.”
After the charge was read to Ukpa, she pleaded not guilty to the offence.
Consequently, the presiding Chief Magistrate, Mr. P.A. Adekomaya, consequently admitted her to bail in the sum of N100,000 with a surety in like sum.
Adekomaya said, “The surety must present evidence of tax payment and his/her residential address to the court for verification.”
He adjourned the case for further mention until Wednesday, July 22, 2015.
