Godwin Okpara,Ex-Super Eagles Star Arraigned Over Wife Battery

Godwin Okpara, former Nigeria Super Eagles Football player, was arraigned on Thursday before an Ikeja Magistrates Court, Lagos for beating his wife, Linda Oladoyinbo Opara.

The 43-year old ex-footballer was arraigned before Magistrates B.O Osunsanmi on a count charge bothering on assault and wife battery.

According to the prosecutor, Asp S. Imhonwa, the defendant Godwin Okpara, 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.

A video showing the former Eagles star publicly beating his wife had gone viral earlier in the year.

Godwin Okpara was said to have on different occasions battered his wife, causing her various degrees of body injury.

The prosecutor, further informed the court that the offenses committed by Godwin Okpara is contrary to Sec. 173 of the criminal law of Lagos state 2015.

Godwin Okpara, 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.

"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," Obo said.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. B.O Osunsanmi in her ruling granted the former Super Eagle 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 29, 2018.

It will be recalled that sometimes in August 2005, Okpara was arrested by French police on charges of raping his 13-year-old adopted daughter Tina Okpara. He was found guilty and imprisoned in June 2007 for 10 years.

While Linda Okpara, his wife who was also arrested, was accused of torture on Tina Okpara and was condemned to 15 years in jail. Godwin Okpara release on parole for good behavior after
serving three years of jail term, while Linda was also release on parole after serving some time.