Okechukwu Chukwunahi, a 44-year-old landlord, was arraigned on Tuesday for allegedly participating in a “trial by ordeal” in a Lagos courtroom.
The defendant was accused of conspiring and put on trial by jury.
He, however, entered a not guilty plea to the accusation.
Dr. Simon Uche, the prosecution’s attorney, informed the court that the defendant committed the crime on February 21 at Ira Quatres in Ojo Lagos.
He claimed that the defendant took his tenants’ names and submitted them to the shrine of the god “Arusi Okija” as a result of an argument with his tenants.
According to the prosecution, Onyeka Ibeabuchi and Chimezie Ezeuka are the purported complainants.
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He said that the tenants later received a call from the priest of the shrine, inviting them to appear in person before Feb. 27, or risk death.
The prosecutor said that the defendant had initially referred the matter for mediation and later to a court in Badagry, but feeling unsatisfied, resorted to illegal means of trial by ordeal at the shrine.
He said that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 127 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Magistrate L.J.K Layeni admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
He adjourned the trial until Mach 20.
The section punishes anyone who directs or presides over a trial by ordeal as a felon and punishes it with ten years. (NAN)
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