A new trouble is brewing for a 35-year-old Lagos lawyer, Mrs Aina Odetayo, who allegedly assaulted her 12-year-old nephew by tying both hands and legs and also burning his back with a hot knife, for stealing her N500 as the court referred her case to family court, sitting in Tinubu for fresh arraignment and trial.
Magistrate Azeez Alogba, who gave order for the transfer of the case, noted since the case involved a minor, the best court with jurisdiction to handle it is a family court.
He subsequently ordered the matter to be transferred.
Earlier, the counsel who represented the defendant informed the court that the parties are at the verge of settling the case and that the court should give them some time to come out with a term of settlement.
However, Mr Ayo Emmanuel, who was watching brief for the complainant, vehemently opposed the position of the defence counsel, stating , there was never a time the party engaged for settlement.
He, therefore, prayed the court to commence trial in the case.
The embattled lawyer was arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate Court, sitting at Tinubu on a three-count charge bordering on assault, inflicting of injury and prevention of being treated, preferred against her by the Police.
The lawyer, who resides at 13A, Green Hill Estate, in Agege suburb area of Lagos, was docked before Magistrate Azeez Alogba.
The Prosecutor, Inspector Michael Unah, had told the court that the defendant allegedly assaulted and infringed on the rights of a minor.
He said that the incident took place on November 14, 2021, at 13A, Green Hill Estate, Agege area of Lagos.
Unah said, ” Odetayo beat up the minor who is her nephew, burnt and inflicted injury on his back with a hot knife from the fire.”
The prosecutor said, “The defendant, after injuring the minor with a hot knife from fire, prevented him from being treated at the hospital.”
The lawyer is on bail granted by Magistrate Alogba on self recognisance, while she was ordered to produce her call to bar certificate before the Court to guarantee her release.
