By Felix Kuyinu
The High Court in Ikeja, Lagos has convicted a commercial driver over the death of an officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agent, LASTMA.
The court sentenced the offender, Elijah Shokoya, to 12 years in prison over the act.
The Judge, Oyindamola Ogala, while giving the judgement said, “The prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt that the one count of manslaughter against the defendant, Elijah Shokoya, on a LASTMA officer, Olawale Akinmade, who died on Wednesday, January 27, 2012 was truly commited as the position of the law was indeed well settled.
“The Honourable Court, therefore, finds you, Elijah Shokoya, guilty of the one count charge of involuntary manslaughter and you will be accordingly convicted.
“I hereby sentence Shokoya to 12 years imprisonment from the day of judgment,” Justice Ogala held.
At an earlier arraignement on June 23, 2021, the Lagos State Government accused the convict of knocking down the deceased while controlling the traffic at Demurin Street, Ketu.
The prosecution held that the jailer rammed an Opel Space bus with plate number AAA 74 GG against the victim which resulted to severe injuries to his head and body.
The offence, according to the prosecution contravened Section 224 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and is punishable under Section 229.
