Man accused of biting off journalist’s ear

A 50-year-old man, Alao Akala, has been arraigned before an Abeokuta Magistrate’s Court for allegedly biting off the left ear of a journalist, Saheed Ganiyu.

Akala, who was charged with alleged assault of two journalists who were on a research mission into the background and origin of the late political godfather of Kwara politics, Dr. Olusola Saraki, also allegedly hit the other, Rasaki Olayiwola, on the head with a camcorder stand.

Police Prosecutor, Sunday Eiagbejiale, said the accused committed the offence on January 3 at Ago-Ika in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Eiagbejiale told Magistrate Martins Akinyemi that the accused attacked the two journalists who were carrying out their lawful duty with “no just cause.”

The prosecutor said, “Akala bit off Ganiyu’s left ear, causing grievous harm and hit Olayiwola on the head with a camcorder stand.

“It will interest this court to know that the journalists are in Abeokuta from Ilorin, Kwara State to research the claim that Chief Olusola Saraki was from this town.

“As an indigene was giving them the low-down of how the late Saraki was related to Abeokuta, the accused came midway into the interview, broke the camera and turned the venue upside down.”

The prosecutor added that the accused also “maliciously damaged” the journalists’ camcorder camera valued at N300, 000.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened sections 355, 335 and 451 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun, 2006.

But the accused who was not represented by a counsel pleaded not guilty to the two counts of assault and unlawful damage.

Akala pleaded that he had mistaken the journalists for prospective buyers invited to inspect his family property where the incident took place.

The magistrate granted the accused bail in the sum of N140,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned further hearing till March 3.