The police have arrested a used clothes seller, Sharon Okafor, for allegedly cutting a salesgirl in the face with broken ceramic plates during a disagreement over payment for drinks and N400 fried meat.
The incident occurred around 11pm on July 25, at Mama’s Bar, Itedo, opposite Lekki Phase I in Eti Osa Local Government Area of Lagos.
Okafor, from Imo State, moved to Lagos from Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, last year and was putting up with a friend on 24, Ilasan Village, Lekki.
She allegedly went to the bar in the company of a man, identified as ‘Kingsley’ and they both ordered for drinks and N400 fried meat.
They were served by the salesgirl, Comfort Jonah, who demanded for payment because it was near her closing time and because she had an errand before going home.
The problem started when Okafor insisted her companion would pay after after they were done.
“She said Jonah tried to take back the drinks and then threw a plate at her which made her retaliate. She also said about 15 men pounced on her and beat her till she fainted,”
Okafor, 22, was arraigned yesterday by the police at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
She is standing trial before Mr. G. O. Amos on a count of assault.
Prosecuting Sergeant O. Balogun told the court that Okafor “unlawfully assaulted the complainant with a breakable plate and injured her on the face.”
He said the offence was punishable under Section 244(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The defendant denied the charge and defence counsel Daniel Abbey urged the court to admit her to bail on liberal terms.
This was opposed by Balogun on the ground of the severity of the complainant’s injury.
“The complainant was almost stabbed in the eye by the defendant,” he added.
Magistrate Amos granted Okafor N100, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.
He adjourned till September 9.
