According to Punch, A Lagos State High Court has convicted and sentenced a commercial bus driver, Elijah Shokoya, to 12 years in prison for manslaughter. Shokoya was found guilty of causing the death of a Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) officer, Olawale Akinmade, in a road incident on January 27, 2012. The incident occurred at Demurin Street junction inward Mile 12, where Shokoya's bus knocked down Akinmade, who was controlling traffic, causing head and body injuries that ultimately led to his demise.
Justice Oyindamola Ogala delivered the judgment, stating that the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that Shokoya's actions led to Akinmade's death. The court heard that Shokoya's bus knocked down Akinmade, who was controlling traffic, causing head and body injuries that ultimately led to his demise. The prosecution presented strong evidence, including eyewitness testimony from Aderonke Malik, who saw Shokoya pushing the deceased into the front of his vehicle. The Investigating Police Officer also gave direct evidence of what she saw, heard, and investigated.
The court found Shokoya guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced him to 12 years in prison. Justice Ogala emphasized that the prosecution had established beyond reasonable doubt that Shokoya's unlawful acts caused Akinmade's death, and that his actions were with the knowledge that injury or grievous bodily harm was the probable consequence.