Lack of legal representation has stalled the trial of an automobile mechanic, Yekini Bakare, and his friend, Rahmon Shele, for allegedly stabbing and stealing a cellphone worth N400, 000 from one Kwesi Mustapha.
The defendants: Bakare, 24; and Shele, 24; whose addresses were not provided are standing trial before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for assault occasioning harm and stealing.
At the resumed hearing on Thursday, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Cyriacus Osuji, told the Magistrate, Mrs A. O. Erile, that the defendants had no counsel and asked for adjournment to enable the defendants do so.
The magistrate obliged and adjourned the case until Aug. 28 for mention.
Erile urged the defendants to employ the services of a counsel by that date.
Earlier, the prosecutor told the court that the defendants committed the offences on June 21, at 10:00 a.m., at New Market Road in Oniru within Lekki Phase 1, Lagos State.
He said that the defendants unlawfully assaulted Mustapha by allegedly stabbing him in the face and head with a broken bottle due to a misunderstanding.
Osuji alleged that the defendants maliciously messed up the dresses of the complainant during the assault.
He told the court that during the assault on Mustapha, the defendant allegedly stole his IPhone 11 Pro, valued N400,000.
He said the offences contravened Sections 173, 287, 350 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in the sum of N80, 000 each with two sureties in like sum.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defendants were arraigned individually on July 16 and Aug. 6, respectively.
