Lanre Gentry, estranged spouse of Nollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe has been remanded in Ikoyi Prison for alleged wife battering, in the latest twist of the domestic violence drama.
He was arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrate Court on a three-count charge of domestic violence, assault, and threat to life which he pleaded not guilty to.
Gentry was granted bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in the like sum. The sureties must show proof of tax payment and own houses in Lagos with title documents. He was also ordered to remain in prison until he meets the bail demands.
Police prosecutor, Inspector N. Peter told the court that Gentry on April 17, conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by constituting nuisance and behaving in a disorderly manner in a public place. Peter added that Gentry unlawfully assaulted his wife by beating her with physical blows all over her body and also caused Mercy Aigbe’s grievous bodily harm after giving her a blow on the nose, with blood gushing out.
Peter said the offense committed by Gentry was contrary to and punishable under sections 157 (f), 168 (a) and 171 of the Criminal Law No II, Vol. 44 Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.
According to Premium Times, Gentry was initially asked to appear in court on Monday following a physical assault charge leveled against him by the Lagos State Department of Domestic and S3xual Violence Response Team. He, however, failed to show up in court saying he was admitted in a Lagos hospital for an undisclosed ailment.
His estranged wife then took to her Instagram account on Monday morning to raise an alarm that her husband was trying to evade arrest with the help of the police. Her close friend, Lara Olubo also claims to have witnessed Lanre Gentry abusing his wife.
The couple was married for seven years and the union produced a son. While it is Mercy’s second marriage, it is her husband’s third marriage.
The case has been adjourned till 12 May for trial.
