Woman Arraigned for Allegedly Assaulting Landlady Over Water Bill Dispute

A 37-year-old woman, Martha Dauda, was on Thursday arraigned before a Kaduna Magistrates’ Court for allegedly assaulting her landlady during a dispute over an unpaid water bill.

Dauda, a resident of Karji, Kaduna, is facing a two-count charge of assault and causing grievous hurt.

According to the prosecutor, Insp. Chidi Leo, the incident occurred around 9:00 a.m. on May 12, when the complainant, Linda Julius, who resides in the same compound, approached the defendant to request payment for a water bill that had been outstanding for three months.

Rather than settle the bill, Dauda allegedly launched into a verbal tirade, calling Julius unprintable names before physically assaulting her. She reportedly slapped and punched the complainant in the left eye, causing injuries that required medical attention.

Leo told the court that other tenants intervened to rescue the complainant during the altercation.

The prosecutor said the actions contravened Sections 356 and 284 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of 2017, which prescribe prison terms of up to three and five years, respectively, for assault and causing hurt.

Dauda pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Presiding Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦200,000 with one surety in like amount. The surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and present proof of three years’ tax payments to the Kaduna State Government.

The case was adjourned until June 19 for hearing.