By Akinnodi Francis, Ondo

A 30-year-old man, Godwin Etim, has been remanded by the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo Town for wilfully and unlawfully attacking residents, causing them harm.

Etim was arraigned before the court on a three-count charge of alleged assault and damage.

The police prosecutor, Supol Bernard Olagbayi, informed the court that Etim committed the offences on January 2, 2025, at Temidayo Street, Surulere, Ondo.

Part of the charge sheet read: “That you, Godwin Etim, on January 2, 2025, at about 8:00 am at Temidayo Street, Surulere, Ondo, within the Ondo Magisterial District, did wilfully and unlawfully use a big sledgehammer to hit one Emmanuel Osasona on his head, causing grievous bodily harm, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 335 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Volume 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you, Godwin Etim, on the same date, time, and location within the Ondo Magisterial District, did wilfully and unlawfully use a big sledgehammer to hit one Omonike Adeyemi on her left hand, causing grievous bodily harm, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 335 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Volume 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you, Godwin Etim, on the same date, time, and place within the Ondo Magisterial District, did unlawfully and maliciously damage one door net and one flush door valued at N150,000, the property of one Omonike Adeyemi, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 451 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Volume 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to counts one and two but pleaded guilty to count three.

Olagbayi, however, informed the court that he would be calling three witnesses to testify in the case and requested an adjournment to study the case file.

The defendant was not represented by legal counsel in court.

The presiding magistrate, Mrs O. A. Omofolarin, ordered that Etim be remanded in Shegede Prison until the determination of the case.

The matter was adjourned to February 25, 2025, for definite hearing.