By Oluwadamilola Akinduro
A 25-year old sex worker, Precious Alabi, has been remanded at the Ondo Correctional Centre by an Akure Magistrates’ Court for allegedly assaulting and obstructing a police officer while on duty.
The defendant, whose address was not disclosed, was arraigned by the Ondo State Police Command on a two-count charge of assault and obstruction.
The police prosecutor, Augustine Omhenimhen, told the court that the incident occurred around 11 p.m. on October 20, 2025, at Signatures Hotel, Alagbaka, Akure.
Omhenimhen explained that the defendant obstructed Corporal David Fagbemi, who was performing his lawful duty, by grabbing and tearing his uniform. He added that she also assaulted Inspector Daramola Yetunde, attached to the ‘A’ Division, Akure, by headbutting her while on duty, causing injuries to her lips and teeth.
He stated that the offences contravened Sections 356(1) and 356(2) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the hearing, the presiding Magistrate, O. T. Lebi, directed Inspector Daramola to narrate what transpired.
Inspector Daramola told the court that the defendant had earlier been arrested and detained overnight by Corporal Fagbemi.
She said that upon resuming duty the following morning, she discovered that the defendant had been released. When she instructed her to return to the cell because of the clothes she wore, the defendant refused and later assaulted her by headbutting her, which caused injuries to her lips and teeth.
In her defence, the defendant said she was wrongly arrested. She claimed she was standing by the roadside when other girls ran away and that the police picked her up without any reason.
She further told the court that she had already been released when Inspector Daramola asked her to return to the cell. She said she explained that she was an asthma patient and could not remain in custody, adding that during the ensuing disagreement, she mistakenly headbutted the officer.
The prosecutor informed the court that he intended to call three witnesses and requested more time to review the case file.
The defence counsel, Olugbenga Adejugbe, did not oppose the request but pleaded that the court grant the defendant bail on lenient terms.
In his ruling, Magistrate Lebi advised the defendant to desist from acts capable of disrupting police operations or causing conflict with law enforcement officers.
He thereafter ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ondo Correctional Centre pending the next adjournment date.
The case was adjourned till October 28, 2025, for further hearing.