The Nasarawa State Police Command arraigned two women, Alice Odey, 27, and Blessing Onagbulum, 39, at a zonal Chief Magistrates’ Court in New Karu on Friday over an alleged physical altercation on Valentine’s Day.
The fight revolved around a romantic entanglement with a man, a former husband to one of the women.
The defendants were charged with “breach of public peace, defamation of character, and causing harm.” However, they both pleaded not guilty.
According to the prosecutor, Inspector Shehu Ndam, the women were apprehended on February 14 during Valentine’s Day festivities after engaging in a fight that resulted in injuries.
Ndam detailed the chaotic scene to the court, stating how Onagbulum accused Odey of snatching her former husband, while Odey claimed Onagbulum used supernatural means [juju] to affect the man’s private parts.
The dispute escalated into a violent confrontation, with Odey using a broken bottle to inflict wounds on Onagbulum’s head, jaw, and neck.
Upon witnessing her mother injured, Onagbulum’s 16-year-old daughter intervened by striking Odey in the eye with a stone.
“Onagbulum accused Odey of snatching her former husband, while Odey accused Onagbulum of using ‘juju’ to shrink his private parts. A fight broke out between the two defendants and Odey used a broken bottle to stab Onagbulum in the head, jaw and neck.
“Upon seeing Onagbulum on the ground, Onagbulum’s 16-year-old daughter picked a stone and hit Odey in the eye,” Ndam told the court on Friday.
The prosecutor outlined that the offence violated the provisions of sections 113, 139, and 245 of the Penal Code.
In response, Judge Godiya Bawa granted the defendants bail at N100,000 each, along with one surety each providing an equal sum. The judge adjourned the case until March 15 for further hearing.
