A 45-year-old businessman, Jonathan Sunday, was on Wednesday arraigned before the Kaduna State Magistrate’s Court for assaulting his estranged wife.

Mr Sunday of Barnawa, Kaduna, is facing a one-count charge of assault, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Monday, at Narayi, Kaduna.

Mr Leo said that the defendant, who had been separated from his wife, Victoria Nathan, found out that she was allegedly dating someone.

“So, out of jealousy, he went to her house and beat her up without provocation,” he said.

He added that a neighbour rushed her to hospital and then reported the matter to the police.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 120 of the State Penal Code, 2017, which stipulates a five-year jail term for assault if found guilty.

The magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted the defendant bail of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

He said that one of the sureties must be an employee in the public or private sector, while the other must be a cleric or a community leader.

He also said that the sureties must show evidence of tax payment to the state government and adjourned the case until October 15 for hearing.

(NAN)