Photo: Apprentice Pours Hot Water On Colleague In Lagos

A 16-year-old seamstress apprentice, Cecilia Ukpa, has been
arrested by the police for pouring hot water on her colleague over a
disagreement.

Ukpa and the victim, Abigael Albert, live in the same
residence with their boss on Meyiga Street, Ilogbo, in the Ajangbadi area of
the state. It was learnt that a senior apprentice had instructed
Ukpa to take the generator used in the shop inside on June 23 when they were
about to close for the day.

Ukpa reportedly declined the order, giving the excuse that
the boss had sent her on an errand. She was said to have told the senior to
give the task to Albert. Ukpa’s suggestion reportedly angered the victim,
leading to an altercation between them.

Ukpa, who is also a senior secondary school pupil of the
Ilogbo Grammar School, said, “On the June 23, Abigael (Albert) and I were in
shop when our boss sent me to go and wash plates. I wanted to wash the plates
when one of my seniors sent me to take the generator inside. I told her that
our boss had sent me on an errand; that she should send Abigael or another
person.

“As I was going to fetch water to wash the plates, the
senior dragged me back and slapped me repeatedly. Abigael too started abusing
me and we fought each other. She inflicted injury on my face before we were
separated.”

Our correspondent learnt that Albert had come to the kitchen
to cook around 6pm the following day and met Ukpa boiling water. They
reportedly kept each other at arm’s length.

While Albert was immersed in the cooking, the suspect
reportedly turned the boiled water on her, scalding some parts of her body.

Ukpa was arrested by the police after the incident was
reported at the Ilemba Hausa Police Division.

She was eventually brought by a police prosecutor, ASP
Olusoji Ojaokomo, before an Apapa Magistrate’s Court on one count of assault.

The charge read, “That you, Cecilia Ukpa, on June 24, 2015,
at about 6pm, on Meyiga Street, Ilogbo, Ajagbandi, Lagos, in the Apapa
Magisterial District, did unlawfully assault one Abigael Albert, 17, by pouring
hot water on her body, which caused her grievous harm and thereby committed an
offence punishable under Section 243 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of
Nigeria, 2011.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the offence before the
presiding Chief Magistrate, Mr. P.A. Adekomaya.

She was admitted to bail in the sum of N100,000 with a
surety in like sum.

“The surety must present evidence of tax payment and his/her
residential address to the court for verification,” Adekomaya added.

The case was adjourned till July 22, 2015 for mention.

Punch