Police Arraigns Lawyer In Court For Assaulting Colleague Over Brief

Police Arraigns Lawyer In Court For Assaulting Colleague Over Brief

The Police in Lagos yesterday arraigned a female lawyer, Nina Lawani before a Tinubu Magistrate's Court, for allegedly assaulting a colleague in court premises over a brief.

According to the police, Lawani who resides at 6 Shomolu Road Dolphin Estate Ikoyi, unlawfully slapped one Barrister Helen Ibeji on the right side of her face during an argument over who has the right to represent a client in a case.

The lawyer, who was arraigned before Magistrate O.M Ajayi on a one count charge of assault, allegedly committed the crime at about 11:12am at Igbosere Magistrate Court on November 18, 2014.

She, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against her.

The prosecutor Sergeant Daniel Ighodalo, told the court that the offence is contrary and punishable under section 170 of the criminal law of Lagos state of Nigeria 2011.

And section 170, prescribes one year imprisonment for any offender convicted of assault.

After the arraignment, counsel to the defendant Vincent Usman urged the court to grant his client bail, on self recognition.

He submitted, "I pray that the court should grant the defendant bail on self recognition because she is a member of the legal profession who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1991."

In her ruling on the oral application,Magistrate, O.M Ajayi expressed sadness over the action of the lawyers, describing their behaviour was disgraceful to the profession.

She said, "It is very disgraceful for counsel to be fighting. This sort of behaviour brings the legal profession to disrepute".

The court, however, granted Lawani bail on self recognition and adjourned the case till December 18 for commencement of trial.