Woman docked for allegedly pouring pepper on neighbour

The police on Monday arraigned a 27-year-old woman, Keziah Bature, in a Karu Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly pouring hot pepper on her neighbour, one Abigail Akos.

The defendant, who resides at Old Chief’s Palace, Karu, Abuja, was arraigned on a count charge bordering on voluntarily causing grievous hurt, an offence she denied committing.

The prosecutor, Vincent Osuji, told the court that the complainant, Akos of same address with the defendant, reported the matter at Karu Police Station on April 16, at about 4:00p.m.

“The complainant alleged that the defendant came to her apartment and warned her not to intervene in a matter concerning her and her cousin, Blessing.

“In the course of the confrontation, both the defendant and the complainant fought, but were separated by neighbours. According to the complainant, after a few hours of the separation, the defendant came back to her apartment and poured hot water mixed with pepper on her.

“As a result of the hot pepper which she poured all over her body, she was inflicted with serious injuries on her back, front and other sensitive parts of her body, and was rushed to the Nigeria Customs Hospital. In fact, the complainant is still in critical condition, though undergoing medical treatment, for which hospital bill is yet to be ascertained,” Osuji said.

According to the prosecutor, the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 247 of the Penal Code.

The judge, Hassan Ishaq, granted the defendant N50,000 bail, with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case until June 25, for hearing.

It could be recalled that the case was first mentioned on April 23, and the defendant remanded in prison custody. NAN)