Palm Wine Seller Beats Up Police Officer Over Missing Money

One Caroline Olaitan, a Sergeant of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, in Osun State has been reportedly beaten up by a palm wine seller.

Naija News learnt that one Florence Samuel, a palm wine seller who owns a shop in the Balogun Agoro area of Osogbo, had assaulted the female officer while resisting arrest following allegations that a sum of N150,000 belonging to a patron was missing.

However, the palm wine seller was on Friday arraigned before an Osun State Magistrates’ Court in Osogbo and charged for a breach of the public peace, conspiracy and stealing. Florence was said to have been with a customer identified as Ayodele Ogundipe, when another customer, Taiwo Yusuf, arrived the spot on September 10, 2020, around 9.45 am, with the sum of N150, 000, which eventually got missing.

Speaking on the incident, the police prosecutor, Adeoye Kayode, noted that the palm wine seller assaulted the policewoman by beating her up and tearing her service uniform, while the officer was simply performing her lawful duty.

The offences were said to be contrary to and punishable under sections 356, 249 (D), 251, 516 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Counsel for the defendants, Mr Najite Okobe, prayed the court to commit them to bail. On his part, Adeoye, opposed the bail application, noting that it would jeopardise evidence.

The presiding magistrate, Mr Adebayo Ajala, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N400,000 each with one surety in like sum.

He adjourned the matter till October 13, 2020, for hearing.

Meanwhile, a middle-aged man, in the Nigerian Poice Uniform, has been caught on camera, heavily smoking shisha at an undisclosed location.