Azeez Folorunso/
After spending 10 years in French prison, Super Eagles former defender, Godwin Okpara was today docked before an Ikeja Magistrates Court, in Lagos, for beating his wife, Linda Oladoyinbo Opara.
The ex-footballer was arraigned before Magistrates B.O Osunsanmi on a count charge bothering on assault and wife battery.
A video showing the former Eagles star publicly beating his wife went viral earlier in the year.
According to the prosecutor, ASP S. Imhonwa, the defendant , sometimes in August, 2016 at their residence at No 6, 8 Oduduwa Street, GRA Ikeja Lagos, unlawfully assaulted his wife of 25-years by flogging her with sticks and other dangerous weapons.
The prosecutor, further informed the Court that the offenses committed by the ex-Super Eagles player is contrary to Sec. 173 of the criminal law of Lagos state 2015.
Opara was said to have also on different occasions battered his wife, causing her body injury.
He however pleaded not guilty to the one count charge preferred against him by the state.
The defendant’s counsel, Malaki Odo, urged the Court to grant the accused bail, stating that he is a responsible citizen of Nigeria.
Obo said, “The defendant is an ex-Super Eagle player who has served the country honorably. We urged the court to grant him bail on liberal term.
“We shall prove our case during trial.”
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. B.O Osunsanmi in her ruling granted the former player bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties.
She also ruled that the sureties must also be workers of reputable organizations.
The matter was however adjourned till January 1, 2018.
Sometimes in August 2005, Okpara was arrested by French police on charges of raping his then 13-year-old adopted daughter.
He was found guilty and imprisoned in June 2007 for 10 years.
His wife, Linda Okpara, accused of torture on the same person was also condemned to 15 years in jail.
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