‘Lagos carpenter’ jailed seven years for pouring acid on ex-girlfriend, new lover

An Ikeja high court on Wednesday sentenced a carpenter identified as Onyekachi Agu to seven years imprisonment for pouring acid on his ex-girlfriend and her new lover.

Agu, 32, was arraigned before the court on a one-count charge of grievous harm.

The offense was said to contravene section 245 of the criminal law of Lagos state, 2015.

During the trial, Oyindamola Ogala, the presiding judge, said the suspect lied and rescinded his confessional statement in an attempt to avoid punishment.

Ogala said the suspect also failed to present his brother who he claimed he was with on the day of the incident.

The judge held that the action of the victim was deliberate, adding that he was guilty of the charge against him.

“The defendant tried to mislead the court by claiming to have been with his brother on the said day but he failed to corroborate his evidence by giving the date and day he visited him,” the judge said.

“His brother who he tried to use as an alibi, was nowhere to be found to give evidence before this court.

“Pouring a corrosive substance on the victims was never contradicted by the defendant.

“The action of the defendant was considered an intention.

“The victims showed to the court, the level of damage to their bodies.

“The testimony of the defendant’s former lover on how she had been harassed and assaulted by him, later led to their separate ways after three years of relationship.

“In view of the evidence before the court, I hereby find the defendant guilty of the charge against him, and he is hereby sentenced to seven years jail term.”

The prosecution counsel said the carpenter committed the offense against Aishat Adefarati, his ex-girlfriend, and Monsuru Ahmed, her new lover, at Gangare Hotel, Mile 12 area of Lagos on July 3, 2020.