Edo State: Benin Magistrate Court convicted Blessing Isikpojie for assaulting a road sweeper employed in the Edo State Waste Management Board. She was sentenced to four days of community service for the offense. The incident happened along Ugbowo Road where the accused worked as a roadside trader.
According to the official reports of the incident, the victim was trying to do her official duty of sweeping the road. It was littered due to the activities of the suspect, who confronted the victim and the disagreement escalated.
The accused, Blessing Isikpojie started to physically assault the sweeper during the confrontation causing her injuries. After the incident, the accused was presented to the Magistrate Court of Benin City.
The court was informed of the incident and after getting all the facts, the judge asserted that the actions of the roadside trader can be described as assault. The court further maintained that it was important for Isikpojie to understand the gravity of her situation.
Accordingly, the court has sentenced her to four days of community sanitation service for her offense. The court reasoned that the assault of a public-serving official can send a bad message to the general public.
The authorities have taken the opportunity to highlight the significance of the public servants employed in the various government offices. The Magistrate said, “The accused was found guilty of assault and was sentenced to four days of community service with two hours of work each day in the Government Reserved Area (G. R. A.) and environs.”
The Benin City Magistrate noted that the sentence is designed to serve as a form of punishment for the offence committed. Further, they also want to make the accused realize the gravity of her actions.
The judicial officer believes, ”Community work is a constructive way of rehabilitating environmental offenders and making them understand the impact of their behaviour on society.”
The people of the country appreciated the court for handling the situation in this way. The offender will also get a lesson in humility after her experience during her sentence.