A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Gwagwalada, FCT, on Thursday ordered that a 26-year-old artisan, Matthew Joshua be remanded in police custody for assaulting a hotel guests and a manager.
The police charged Joshua, who lives in Dupka village, Gwagwalada, FCT with six counts of criminal conspiracy, trespass, force, assault mischief, causing hurt and intimidation.
Magistrate Ibrahim Yusuf who adjourned the case until Sept. 18, ordered the defence counsel, Owobu Godday, to file written application for bail.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Dabo Yakubu, told the court that the complainant, Idoko Chidiebere, reported the matter at Area Command Gwagwalada on Aug. 11.
Yakubu alleged that the defendant in company of ten others, presently at large visited the Atlas hotel, Gwagwalada, armed with a jack knife, sticks and other dangerous weapons and beat up his customers and a security guard, Njoku Kendi.
The prosecutor further alleged that when the complainant approached the defendant, he ordered his boys to beat him up and ordered all customers out without paying their bills.
He alleged that the defendant nd his accomplices destroyed property worth N168,250.
The Prosecution alleged that the complainant and other customers sustained injuries as a result of the beating.
The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 96, 342, 262, 240, 326 and 396 of the Penal Code.
Yakubu prayed the count not to grant bail to the defendant, adding that other suspects were still at large.
He urged the court to refuse him bail and remand the defendant in police custody.
The defendant pleaded not guilty.
In his oral bail application, Godday, prayed the court to admit his client to bail because he had no criminal record and will not interfere in police investigations.
He said that the defendant’s wife was pregnant and may give birth any moment.
Edited By: Sadiya Hamza (NAN)
