Al-Hikmah University lecturer allegedly inflicts iron burns on face, thigh of 17-yr-old

By Kayode Adeoti

The premises of the Kwara State family court was, yesterday, filled to capacity with people who thronged the facility to catch a glimpse of one Yusuf Folorusho, a lecturer of  Al-Hikmah University, who used hot pressing iron to inflcit  burns on a 17- year- old boy (names withheld) in Ilorin.
Folorunsho of Kuntu area,  a lecturer of Islamic Studies at the the institution situated  in Ilorin, Kwara state capital, was said to  have carried out the act as punishment for theft by the teenager.
The varsity don reportedly beat up the boy before using the hot pressing iron  on him, which left the boy with severe burns on his face and thigh.
Police First Information Report (FIR) revealed that the defendant deliberately locked the boy inside his room before he meted  the  punishment on him.
When the FIR was read to the hearing of the defendant, he denied the allegation against him, pleading not guilty of the offence.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Adisa Akinjide made application for the remand of the defendant in prison yard at  Oke Kura, Ilorin.
Magistrate Shade Lawal who presided over the matter refused the application for the remand of the defendant, granting him bail in the sum of N300,000 with a reliable surety while the matter was adjourned to 28th August, 2019.
Before the proceedings, our reporter sighted the defendant sitting on the floor in the court, pleading profusely for forgiveness over the alleged offence.
A close ally of the defendant who spoke to this medium on vondition of anonymity,  said the teenager was kept in custody of the lecturer 9 years ago by his parents, to tutor him on the   Qu’ran.
He, however, said that the boy has overtime become a thorn in the flesh of  his guardian with his stealing habit.
“He has at various times  stolen his guardian’s money and valuables. The lastest of this vice was the theft of a MP3 (Music Player), which infuriated his teacher and made him to take the action,” he further said.
Meanwhile,  the matter has drawn attention of the National Human Rights Commission, Kwara State that reported the  case at the Police Station.
The commission was represented in court by  principal partner, Ahmed Rufai Ahmed, though denied access into the inner Chamber where the matter was heard.
The Federation of Women Lawyers Association (FIDA) that has also taken the matter up vehemently demanded proper prosecution of the lecturer.