Bus Driver Condemned To 12 Years Behind The Bars For Killing LASTMA Officer

A Lagos State High Court sentenced bus driver Elijah Shokoya to 12 years in prison for the manslaughter of LASTMA officer Olawale Akinmade.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has sentenced Elijah Shokoya, a commercial bus driver, to 12 years in prison for the manslaughter of Olawale Akinmade, an officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA).

Justice Oyindamola Ogala delivered the verdict on Thursday, finding Shokoya guilty of the charges brought against him.

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The tragic incident occurred on January 27, 2012, when Shokoya, driving a blue and black Opel space bus with the license plate AAA 74 GG, knocked down Akinmade while he was controlling traffic at the Demurin Street junction towards Mile 12.

Akinmade suffered fatal injuries to his head and body.

In her judgment, Justice Ogala stated that the prosecution had successfully proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Shokoya’s actions led to Akinmade’s death.

She emphasized that Shokoya’s actions were done with the knowledge that they would likely cause serious injury or harm.

“The prosecution has established beyond reasonable doubt that the deceased died, that the unlawful acts of the Shokoya caused the death of the deceased, and that the acts of the convict which eventually caused the death of the deceased were with the knowledge that injury or grievous bodily harm was the probable consequence,” the judge said.

Shokoya was initially arraigned nine years after the incident, on June 23, 2021, and pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter charge.

However, witness testimonies, including that of Aderonke Malik, who saw Shokoya pushing Akinmade in front of his vehicle and not stopping despite her pleas, were crucial in securing his conviction.

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Justice Ogala highlighted that the burden of proof in criminal cases lies with the prosecution, and in this case, they had met the standard of proving beyond a reasonable doubt.

She sentenced Shokoya to 12 years in prison, effective from the day of judgment.

This conviction underscores the importance of holding individuals accountable for actions that endanger the lives of others, particularly public servants performing their duties.

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