There was a mild drama at the Osun state Magistrate Court, Osogbo, after suspect repeatedly cough in the middle of his trial.
Medical experts have revealed that persistent coughing is one of the symptoms of the novel Coronavirus.
The suspect, identified as Ige, was said to have coughed while his two-count charge of assault was being read.
The Cable reports that prosecuting lawyers seated beside the suspect had to quickly move away from him and sat afar.
But Olusegun Ayilara, the magistrate, insisted that the proceedings would continue despite the repeated coughs by the suspect.
The suspect, alongside his accomplices, were accused of conspiring to assault one Lateef Kareem on April 6 at Olugun street in the state capital.
The suspects were accused of using broken bottles and cutlasses to harm Kareem, which caused an injury to his hand.
But the suspects pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The judge released them on bail with N200,000 and one surety each and adjourned the matter till May 13.
