A 57-year-old commercial motorcycle (Okada) rider, Micheal Markus, told a Dutse Grade I Area Court in Abuja, that  his passenger, Nneka Samuel, tore his shirt and hit him with a stick during an argument over N30 change.

Samuel is charged with two counts of criminal force and assault.

Led in evidence by Prosecution Counsel, Mrs Idowu Ojo, Markus, told the court that on July 1, around 8.30 a.m, he picked up the defendant around Pwambara area of Bwari town.

” I told her that I would charge her N100.

”On getting to our destination, she gave me N500 and I gave her a change of N420.

“When I gave her the change, she asked me to give her N30 back. I explained to her that I reduced the fare for her. I was  supposed to charge her N100.

”All of a sudden, she held me by shirt from behind, pulled me off the bike and I lost my balance. She then proceeded to hit me with a stick,” he alleged.

Markus alleged that he received deep cuts on his arm and legs.

He said that he spent N20,000 for treatment at the Ushafa Primary Health Centre.

After his testimonies, Ojo, prayed the court for an adjournment to enable her properly guide the witness and also provide relevant documents before a cross-examination by the defence counsel.

Mr Rufai Okuku, the defence counsel, did not object to the application.

The Presiding Judge, Mr Suleiman Mohammed, adjourned further hearing in the matter until Aug.