Man stabs friend in the stomach over phone call.
A 21-year-old watermelon seller, Usman Yunisa, who allegedly stabbed his friend for refusing to lend him phone, on Monday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.
Yinusa, who resides on Bolade Oshodi, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of assault and attempted murder.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecution said that he attempted to kill his friend, Mr Idris Bala, by stabbing him with a knife on the stomach for refusing to give him his phone to make a call.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Kenrich Nomayo, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Nov. 12, at No.33, Agege Motor Road, Bolade Oshodi.
Nomayo said: “The complainant (Bala) refused to lend the accused his phone to make a phone call.
“This led to an argument; out of anger, the complainant slapped the accused while the accused retaliated by stabbing him with the knife he used for cutting watermelon.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the alleged offences violate Sections 173 and 230 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 (Revised).
Section 230 provides for life imprisonment for attempted murder while 173 stipulates three years’ jail term for assault.
The Magistrate, Mrs T.A. Ojo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N400, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Ojo said that the sureties must be gainfully employed with evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case until Jan. 10 for mention.
