A businessman, Joseph Danladi, was on Tuesday arraigned before the Kado Grade I Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly beating one Joshua Caleb with a stick until he lost consciousness.

Mr Danladi, a resident of Gilmore, Jahi, Abuja, is charged with causing grievous hurt and screening an offender.

The prosecution counsel, Stanley Nwafoaku, told the court that the matter was reported at the Life Camp Police Station by the complainant, Stephen Johnson, who resides beside Chief Palace, Kado village, Abuja, on March 11.

Mr Nwafoaku said the defendant, during an argument, attacked Mr Caleb with a stick and beat him up until he lost consciousness and had to be rushed to Gwarinpa General Hospital before he regained consciousness after some hours.

The prosecutor said that during the police investigation, the defendant was arrested and detained along with one Mansur Adamu, who punched the complainant in the face during the fight between the defendant and Mr Caleb.

Mr Nwafoaku, in addition, said that at the police station, the defendant stood as a surety for Mr Adamu, and he was released to go and inform his relatives about his whereabouts, get his phone and return to the station.

The prosecutor said that, however, since Mr Adamu was released on March 12, he failed to return to the station, ultimately making the defendant liable for the offence of screening an offender.

He said that during the police investigation also, the defendant confessed to having committed the crime.

He said the offence contravened sections 245 and 167 of the Penal Code.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The judge, Muhammed Wakili, admitted the defendant N200,000 bail and a surety in like sum.

He directed that the surety provide a passport photograph, valid identification, and a BVN printout from his bank.

Mr Wakili also adjourned the matter until May 19 for a hearing.

(NAN)