Court orders arrest of Ondo commissioner for ‘assaulting’ magistrate

 

A magistrate’s court in Akure, Ondo state, has ordered the arrest and remand of Seun Osamaye, the state’s commissioner for women affairs, for allegedly assaulting Temitope Alphonso, a chief magistrate.

The alleged assault was said to have occurred on the premises of the Ondo state ministry of women affairs, with the magistrate on official assignment at the ministry.

According to NAN, the police charged the commissioner with “assault”.

In an affidavit attached to the charge, the commissioner was alleged to have verbally abused and physically assaulted the chief magistrate during the official engagement.

The alleged assault reportedly followed a judgment delivered by the magistrate which the commissioner deemed unfavourable.

COURT PROCEEDINGS

During court proceedings on Wednesday, the commissioner was absent but was represented by A.K Adewusi, her counsel.

Adewusi told the court that Osamaye was receiving treatment in a hospital in Ilara-Mokin, Ifedore LGA of Ondo state.

The counsel requested for a stand down of the case for one hour, 30 minutes to allow him to present evidence.

The request was granted by the magistrate.

After the resumption of proceedings, the defence counsel presented a medical report of the hospitalisation of the commissioner.

Suleiman Adebayo, the prosecutor, challenged the authenticity of the medical report.

In his ruling, Damilola Sekoni, the magistrate, rejected the medical report, adding that the report did not indicate that the commissioner was on admission in a hospital or medically unfit to attend court.

Sekoni added that the medical report did not include key details like the date and time of admission.

The magistrate ordered the arrest and remand of the commissioner in the correctional facility citing disregard for the court.

The case was adjourned to January 12 for further hearing.