Lagos – A Surulere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, on Wednesday heard with consternation how an accused had his right hand chopped off with a cutlass by a complainant for allegedly stealing the headlight of a Honda car.
The accused, Collins Okeke, 30, told the court that the complainant, Tunde Osubu, chopped off his hand, put it inside a black bag and buried it before reporting the alleged theft to the police.
Okeke, a hair dresser, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing the head light of a Honda car belonging to Osubu.The prosecutor, Cpl. Ishola Samuel told the court that the offence was committed on June 17 at 17, Oniwinde St., Aguda, Surulere.
Okeke, whose severed arm was bleeding while in the dock, told the court that he had been treated only once since his arrest six days ago.
“I have been in police custody for five days and have not been treated after the first treatment I got, “ he said.
Counsel to the accused, Mr Peter Nwachukwu, urged the court to charge the complainant to court.
“It is unfortunate that a head light was assumed stolen by the accused and people decided to cut off his hand.
“Constitutionally, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. That is the law of the land.
“For the interest of justice, I appeal to the court to order the police to charge the complainant, Osubu, to court, “ Nwachukwu said.
Osubu, however, denied cutting off Okeke’s hand and instead put the blame on the vigilante group at Oniwinde St. where Okeke was accused of stealing.
The Senior Magistrate, Mrs Aderemi Gbajumo, who was appalled by the matter, ordered the police to investigate the hand cutting.
She also ordered that medical papers be issued immediately to ensure the accused received medical treatment.
Gbajumo granted Okeke N5000 bail with one surety in like sum to enable him receive immediate treatment and adjourned till July 20 for further hearing. (NAN)
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/06/suspects-hand-chopped-off-in-lagos-for-allegedly-stealing-car-headlight/
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/06/suspects-hand-chopped-off-in-lagos-for-allegedly-stealing-car-headlight/
I am also shocked that the judge did not order for detention of so called Tunde.Can the cost of headlamp be compared with human hand human.The headlamp can be replaced but not human hand. The best they could have done assuming the accuse was caught redhanded was to hand him over to the police.The punishment by far outweighed the alleged theft.Anyhow,we still than God that they never killed him in the firdt place orderwise,who would have advocated for the dead.He can still repent and ask God for forgiveness who can grant him salvation by embracing the Lord Jesus Christ and hope that his hand will be restored on the last day.Tunde also needs to embrace Christ for delivarnace from wickedness and spirit of unforgivenesss to avoid hell fire.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I thought of that; however the judge was right in not ordering the detention of Tunde. The judge can't be both the judge and instigator of prosecution. If a judge initiates the prosecution of Tunde and then a judge finds him guilty that could amount to judicial railroading which is strong grounds for appeal - especially at Supreme Court level . What the judge did - in asking the police to investigate the chopping off of the man's hand is very clever and prudent. The judge passed the ball back to the police and prosecution who have the constitutional right to initiate prosecution. However the judge slacked in not rebuking the police in stronger terms.
ReplyDeleteTHIS IS THE TRAGEDY OF NIGERIA,EVEN IF HE IS ACCUSED OF STEALING A HEADLIGHT WHICH IS BAD,HOW CAN YOU CHOP OF THE HAND OF A FELLOW HUMAN BEING.BANKOLE AND HIS COHORTS IN THE N/A STOLE BILLIONS AND STILL HAVE THEIR HEADS UPON THEIR BODY.THE ACCUSER AS WELL AS THE USELESS POLICEMEN SHOULD BE PROSECUTED.
ReplyDeleteI simply don't believe this story. I think it was published just to sell the paper. No Nigerian will do that. If it is true, the police, the Magistrate and the offenders should be arrested immediately and tried for negligence at different stages of this case. It cannot be true.
ReplyDeleteChopping Okeke's hands for stealing a car's lamp is wicked. Lights can be replaced, but not the hands. While Okeke should be prosecuted, Tunde Osubu has case to answer, and if found culpable, he should be punished accordingly!
ReplyDeleteI always admonish our fellow Nigerians not to take the law into their hands. This is really barbaric. It's still uncalled for, even if the accuse did steal the head light.
ReplyDelete"Yeah, I thought of that; however the judge was right in not ordering the detention of Tunde. The judge can't be both the judge and instigator of prosecution. If a judge initiates the prosecution of Tunde and then a judge finds him guilty that could amount to judicial railroading which is strong grounds for appeal - especially at Supreme Court level . What the judge did - in asking the police to investigate the chopping off of the man's hand is very clever and prudent. The judge passed the ball back to the police and prosecution who have the constitutional right to initiate prosecution. However the judge slacked in not rebuking the police in stronger terms. " Chike_Afana reply to Peter Omelazu.Folarin shoul read above piece and learn how to make constructive and academic comments. Iti guo akwukwo!
ReplyDeleteThis is a sad story for the alledged petty thief,however it is a common sight in Nigeria to see jungle justice(alledged criminals burnt to death etc).He might be lucky to have escaped being lynched or set on fire.I hope his wounds are treated and he learns from that.
ReplyDelete