'Ashewos' in court for beating up policeman

Two commercial sex workers in Lagos have been arraigned for beating up a police officer.

Two commercial sex workers, popularly called 'Ashewo', have been arraigned before an Apapa Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Lagos for allegedly beating up a policeman who was trying to arrest them for wandering at an odd time.

The two prostitutes, Dominica Paul and Chioma Aneka, who both operate at a brothel in Ajegunle area of the state, according to the prosecutor, Inspector Tony Elibeh, had allegedly beaten up a policeman identified as Sergeant Usang while carrying out his official functions at about 1am on January 20, tearing his uniform in the process.

The prosecutor who said the ladies of the night were standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on of breach of peace, unlawful damage and assault, were apprehended by the Sergeant roaming New Road, a street in Olodi-Apapa who confronted them, trying to find out what they were doing at that ungodly hour.

Inspector Elibeh said:

“When Usang asked them where they were going, the accused could not give a satisfactory answer and he decided to take them to the police station. Paul and Aneka, who did not want to follow the policeman to the station, conspired to beat him up and also tore his shirt.” 

He added that the offence contravened Sections 166, 172 and 337 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, with section 166 providing a N15, 000 fine or three months imprisonment for disorderly act, while Section 172 stipulates a three-year jail term for serious assault.

When the charges were read to the accused, they pleaded not guilty and the president of the court, Chief Magistrate, Titus Abolarinwa, granted them bail in the sum of N50,000 each while adjourning the case till February 24 for hearing.