Court remands man for allegedly assaulting police officer

By Akinnodi Francis, Ondo
A 30-year-old man, Richard Abiodun, has been remanded at Segede Correctional Centre by a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ondo for allegedly assaulting a police officer on duty.
According to court records, the defendant was accused of assaulting the officer in the course of his lawful duties.
The charge sheet stated that the offence contravened Section 356(5) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
Part of the charge sheet read: “That you, Richard Abiodun, male, on 16th day of January, 2025, at about 1100hrs, at Road 13, Avenue 17, Ondo, in the Ondo Magisterial District, did willingly and unlawfully assault F/No $16045 CPL Aro Felix while performing his lawful duty by pushing him to the wall and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 356(5) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37 Vol.1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge brought against him.
Police prosecutor, Supol Bernard Olagbayi, informed the court of plans to call three witnesses and sought time to review the case file.
Meanwhile, the defendant’s legal counsel, Ibrahim Adedeji, applied for bail on behalf of his client.
However, Magistrate Mrs O.A. Omofolarin denied the bail application and ordered Abiodun’s remand in Segede Correctional Centre pending the next court date.
“The rate at which people assault police officers is getting out of hand, and it needs to be stopped,” the magistrate noted.
The case has been adjourned until January 23, 2025 for a report of settlement or hearing.