Court Acquits Ibrahim Yusuf of Killing LASTMA Officer

An Ikeja High Court on Monday discharged and acquitted 29-year-old Ibrahim Yusuf, who was charged with the killing of a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officer, Mr. Olatunde Awotola.

Justice Oyindamola Ogala, in her ruling, stated that the prosecution failed to prove the two charges of involuntary manslaughter and causing grievous bodily harm to the officer on duty.

She noted that there was no documentary evidence provided by the sole prosecution witness and that there was no indication that the incident was reported to the police.

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“After reviewing all the evidence, the prosecution has not established the necessary elements of the offences. The defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted,” she declared.

State Counsel Mr. Ola Azeez presented a prosecution witness in the case, while Defence Counsel Mr. Bidemi Ademola-Bello represented Yusuf before the judge.

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The prosecution had alleged that Yusuf attacked the officer while attempting to arrest him on February 12, 2022, in Kosoko Ojodu, Lagos. They claimed that Yusuf obstructed traffic along the route, prompting the LASTMA officer to attempt to impound his vehicle. It was alleged that Yusuf then grabbed a knife and stabbed the victim in the head and neck before abandoning his vehicle and fleeing.

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

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