Police arraigns applicant for threatening friend over plate of rice

A 20-year-old applicant, Abayomi Ogunbayo, on Friday appeared before a Badagry Chief Magistrates' Court in Lagos for alleged threat to kill his friend over a plate of rice.

Ogunbayo, whose address was unknown, was arraigned on a one-count charge of threat to life.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Innocent Uko, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. at Pota Area of Badagry.

Uko said that the accused and the victim, Shehu Ismaila, who were friends were had argument over a pot of rice when the accused threatened to stab him with knife.

``Both of them were eating together from the same pot when the accused started arguing with the victim because he was taking more share of the food.

``In the middle of the argument, he went to the kitchen, brought a knife and threatened to kill his friend,’’ he said.

He noted that the offence contravened Section 56 (1) (A) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Counsel to the accused, Mr Dapo Omotayo, applied for the bail of his client. .

Omotayo promised that his client would always attend further court hearings.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Abiodun Etti, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100, 000 and a surety in like sum.

Etti said that the surety must provide evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

He adjourned the case till March 2 for further hearing.