A businessman, Joseph Danladi was on Tuesday docked in a Kado Grade I Area Court, Abuja for allegedly beating one Joshua Caleb with a stick until he lost consciousness.
Danladi, a resident of Gilmore, Jahi, Abuja, is charged with causing grievous hurt and screening an offender.
The Prosecution Counsel, Stanley Nwafoaku, told the court that the matter was reported at the Life Camp Police Station by the complainant, Stephen Johnson who resides beside the Chief’s Palace in Kado village, Abuja on March 11.
Nwafoaku said the defendant during an argument attacked Caleb with a stick and beat him up until he lost consciousness and had to be rushed to Gwarinpa General Hospital before he regained consciousness after some hours.
The prosecutor said that during Police investigation, the defendant was arrested and detained alongside one Mansur Adamu who punched the complainant in the face during a fight.
Nwafoaku in addition said that at the police station, the defendant stood as a surety for Adamu and he was released to go and inform his relatives about his whereabouts, get his phone and return to the station.
The prosecutor said, however, that since Adamu was released on March 12, he failed to return to the station, ultimately making the defendant liable for the offence of screening an offender.
He said during the Police investigation also, the defendant confessed to having committed the crime.
The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 245 and 167 of the Penal Code.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The judge, Muhammed Wakili, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N200,000 and a surety in like sum.
He directed that the surety provides a passport photograph, any valid means of identification and a BVN printout from his bank.
Wakili also adjourned the matter until May 19 for hearing.
