Court frees man accused of killing LASTMA officer

An Ikeja High Court on Monday discharged and acquitted a 29-year-old man, Ibrahim Yusuf, charged with killing a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

Yusuf was accused of killing one, Mr Olatunde Awotola.

Justice Oyindamola Ogala, in her judgment, held that the prosecution failed to prove two counts charge of involuntary manslaughter and causing grievous bodily harm on the officer on duty.

Ogala said there was no documentary evidence presented by the sole prosecution witness.

He added there was no evidence to show that the incident was reported at a police station.

“After considering the entire evidence, the prosecution failed to establish all ingredients of the offences.

“The defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted,” she said.

The State Counsel, Mr Ola Azeez, had presented a prosecution witness in the case, while the Defence Counsel, Mr Bidemi Ademola-Bello, represented the defendant before the judge for verdict.

The prosecution had alleged that Yusuf attacked the official when he was trying to arrest him on Feb. 12, 2022, in Kosoko Ojodu, Lagos.

The prosecutor also alleged that Yusuf ran into trouble when he obstructed vehicular movement along the route and the LASTMA officer tried to impound his vehicle.

The accused was alleged to have reached for a knife, which he used to stab the victim in the head and neck, abandoned his vehicle and took to his heels.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offences violate Sections 224 and 251 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.