A Karu Chief Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, in the Nigerian capital on Tuesday remanded a businessman, Mr Kelechi Allison, 29, in prison custody for chopping off his neighbour’s fingers with a cutlass.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Omolola Akindele, remanded the accused, who pleaded not guilty to the offence.
Akindele said remanding the accused would calm down tension in the neighborhood for his own safety.
Alison, residing near the Technical College in Karu, is facing a one-count charge of causing grievous bodily harm.
The police prosecutor, Cpl. Pascal Njoku, told the court that the complaint was lodged by one Bright Awanwoke at Karshi Police Station on July 24.
Njoku said the accused had a quarreled with the complainant over a customer.
“In the heat of the argument, Alison brought a sharp cutlass from his house, which he used to attack Bright.
“He cut him on his forehead and his two fingers were also chopped off, resulting to serious injuries on his body,” he said.
The prosecutor also told the court that the victim was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Asokoro.
“During police investigation, it was discovered that two fingers were cut off.”
The offence is punishable under Section 241 of the Penal Code.
Njoku, however, opposed the bail of the accused, alleging that he was not a first-time offender.
He said there was likelihood for him to commit same offence in future.
The chief magistrate, therefore, adjourned the case until Aug. 24, for further hearing