Court frees man accused of k!lling LASTMA officer

An Ikeja High Court has discharged and acquitted 29-year-old Ibrahim Yusuf, who faced charges of k!lling a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officer, Mr Olatunde Awotola. 

The ruling was delivered by Justice Oyindamola Ogala on Monday, September 30, following a thorough examination of the prosecution's evidence.

Justice Ogala concluded that the prosecution failed to substantiate the two charges of involuntary manslaughter and causing grievous bodily harm against the officer on duty. The judge noted the absence of documentary evidence from the sole prosecution witness and highlighted that there was no indication that the incident had been reported to the police.

“After considering the entire evidence, the prosecution failed to establish all ingredients of the offences. The defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted,” Justice Ogala stated.

During the proceedings, State Counsel Mr Ola Azeez presented the prosecution's case, while Defense Counsel Mr Bidemi Ademola-Bello represented Yusuf. The prosecution had alleged that Yusuf attacked the LASTMA officer on February 12, 2022, in Kosoko Ojodu, Lagos, when the officer attempted to arrest him for obstructing vehicular movement.

According to the prosecution, Yusuf allegedly st@bbed Awotola in the head and neck with a knife before abandoning his vehicle and fleeing the scene. The charges brought against him were said to violate Sections 224 and 251 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.