Court orders arrest of Ondo commissioner for ‘assaulting’ magistrate

A magistrate’s court in Akure, Ondo state, has ordered thearrest and remand of Seun Osamaye, the state’s commissioner for women affairs,for allegedly assaulting Temitope Alphonso, a chief magistrate. The alleged assault was said to have occurred on thepremises of the Ondo state ministry of women affairs, with the magistrate onofficial assignment at the ministry. According to NAN, the police charged the commissioner with“assault”. In an affidavit attached to the charge, the commissioner wasalleged to have verbally abused and physically assaulted the chief magistrateduring the official engagement. The alleged assault reportedly followed a judgment deliveredby the magistrate, which the commissioner deemed unfavourable. COURT PROCEEDINGSDuring court proceedings on Wednesday, the commissioner wasabsent but was represented by A.K Adewusi, her counsel. Adewusi told the court that Osamaye was receiving treatmentin a hospital in Ilara-Mokin, Ifedore LGA of Ondo state. The counsel requested for a stand down of the case for onehour, 30 minutes to allow him to present evidence. The request was granted by the magistrate. After the resumption of proceedings, the defence counselpresented a medical report of the hospitalisation of the commissioner. Suleiman Adebayo, the prosecutor, challenged theauthenticity of the medical report. In his ruling, Damilola Sekoni, the magistrate, rejected themedical report, adding that the report did not indicate that the commissionerwas on admission in a hospital or medically unfit to attend court. Sekoni added that the medical report did not include keydetails like the date and time of admission. The magistrate ordered the arrest and remand of thecommissioner in the correctional facility, citing disregard for the court. The case was adjourned to January 12 for further hearing.

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