Mercy Aigbe vs Gentry: Late arrival delays alleged domestic abuse trial

The alleged domestic abuse trial of Olanrewaju Gentry before an Ikeja chief magistrate court, Lagos, could not begin as scheduled due to the late arrival of persons involved in the case.

Gentry is facing charges bordering on domestic violence offences for allegedly beating and inflicting injuries on his wife.

Actress Mercy Aigbe, the applicant, was scheduled to tender before the court the medical report of the alleged domestic violence she suffered from Gentry.

But when the court clerk called their matter at about 11.05am yesterday, the couple were nowhere to be found.

Subsequently, at 11:25am the matter was called again, but only the actress’ estranged husband was available.

According to The Nation, Gentry responded and was accompanied by his counsel to the chamber of Folakemi Davies- Abegunde, the chief magistrate.

Less than 20 minutes later, they came out and left the court premises.

Shortly thereafter, Aigbe arrived the court alongside her counsel, Uche Ani, and proceeded into the chief magistrate’s chamber, where they were informed that the matter had been adjourned till June 28.

The actress had also applied for a restraining order in line with sections 5(1), 1(3) and section 7(1) of Protection Against Domestic Violence and Connected Purposes Law 2007.

Wednesday’s hearing was an opportunity for Gentry to show cause why the restraining order that he should not come within a mile radius of Aigbe and their two children should not be made permanent by the court.