A Magistrates’ Court sitting in Kaduna on Tuesday ordered that a 26-year-old man, Usman Aliyu, be remanded in a correctional facility for allegedly assaulting his friend into a coma during a dispute reportedly linked to a romantic relationship.
Aliyu, who resides in Ungwan Sarki, Kaduna, pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault.
Presiding Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel issued the remand order after the prosecuting officer, Inspector Chidi Leo, requested that the defendant be kept in custody pending further proceedings. The magistrate then adjourned the case until September 11 for a bail hearing.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on August 14 around 4 p.m. in the Malali area of Kaduna. Inspector Leo told the court that the defendant, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, visited the home of his friend, Shuaibu Hassan, armed with a cutlass and attacked him.
The altercation reportedly stemmed from a disagreement over a woman both men were romantically linked to. The victim was said to have sustained severe injuries and is currently hospitalized in critical condition, with his survival uncertain.
The charge brought against Aliyu falls under Section 221 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017, which deals with assault and related offences.