The police have brought charges against Ekunife Emmanuel, a 26-year-old lawyer, at a Lugbe Grade I Area Court in Abuja, accusing him of refusing to pay a commercial sex worker.
Emmanuel, who resides in Jahi, Abuja, was charged with criminal breach of trust, assault, causing hurt, and inciting disturbance, all of which he denied.
According to the prosecuting counsel, Olisaemeka Okeke, the complaint was filed by Queeneth John, a sex worker in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, who reported the incident at the Asokoro police station on March 12, 2024.
Okeke explained that on March 11, around 10 p.m., Emmanuel approached John while she was vending in Wuse and took her to Banex Plaza under the pretense of paying her for sexual services.
However, after the encounter, he failed to fulfill his promise of payment, resulting in a physical altercation during which John sustained injuries. The prosecutor stated that Emmanuel’s actions violated Sections 312, 365, 244, and 114 of the Penal Code.
In response, Judge Aliyu Kagarko granted Emmanuel bail in the sum of N1 million, with a surety of equivalent value. The judge stipulated that the surety must be a legal practitioner with a minimum of five years’ experience, holding a valid call to bar certificate, and residing within the court’s jurisdiction. The case was adjourned until April 18, 2024, for further proceedings, as per the judge’s ruling in accordance with section 165(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
