A supposed peacemaker, Saheed Odusote, who claimed to have acted in self-defence, has been arrested for allegedly stabbing a boxer, Olumide Agbolade, with a bottle.
It was learnt that Agbolade and his colleague, Taiwo Makanjuola, had a heated argument on September 7, around 9pm, which led to a fight.
Odusote was said to have intervened in the fight by breaking a bottle and stabbing Agbolade in the left side of his face.
However, Makanjuola said in his statement to the police that he did not send Odusote to stab Agbolade.
He said, “Some boys and I were at Eliot bus stop in Iju drinking beer when we started arguing about boxing issues. Olumide (Agbolade) challenged me and claimed to be a better boxer; then I said we should prove it.
“We stood up and started exchanging punches; suddenly; a boy named Saheed (Odusote) came from nowhere and hit Olumide’s head with a bottle. The bottle broke on his head and tore part of the side of his face around his ear. Saheed is not my friend and I did not ask him to attack Olumide.”
However, Odusote claimed to the police that he acted in self-defence.
He said, “I drove a tricycle to Eliot bus stop, Iju-Ishaga and I met one Olumide and Taiwo fighting, I don’t know the cause of their fight but I warned them that I don’t want them to fight or they would see my other side.
“Olumide gave Taiwo a blow and he fell down, then I picked a bottle. Olumide turned against me, he tried to give me blow and I had to defend myself with the broken bottle in my hand.
“The bottle wounded him on the left side of his face and blood started gushing out from the wound. I stabbed him only once.
The police subsequently arraigned Odusote on one count of assault.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Magistrate W.A Salami granted Odusote bail in the sum of N50,000.
