Bus driver sentenced to 12 years for killing LASTMA officer

The Lagos High Court in Ikeja on Thursday convicted and sentenced commercial bus driver Elijah Shokoya to 12 years in prison for the manslaughter of Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) officer Olawale Akinmade.

Justice Oyindamola Ogala handed down the sentence after determining that the prosecution, led by the Lagos State Government, had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Shokoya was responsible for Akinmade’s death on January 27, 2012.

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

The Lagos State Government charged Shokoya with hitting Akinmade with a blue and black Opel space bus (number plate AAA 74 GG) while the officer was directing traffic. Akinmade suffered fatal injuries to his head and body in the incident, which occurred at the Demurin Street junction in the Mile 12 area of Lagos. This act violated Section 224 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and was punishable under Section 229.

Shokoya, who was arraigned on June 23, 2021, had pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter charge.

In her judgment, Justice Ogala emphasized that the prosecution had met its burden of proof. “As regards the death of Akinmade Samson Olawale, there seems to be no dispute as to the death of the deceased.”

Aderonke Malik, a first prosecution witness, testified that she saw Shokoya pushing Akinmade in front of his vehicle and, despite her pleas to stop, Shokoya continued driving until he struck down Akinmade. The Investigating Police Officer’s testimony corroborated Malik’s account.

“Proof beyond reasonable doubt is not proof beyond every shadow of doubt. The degree of proof amounting to reasonable doubt need not reach certainty, but it will carry a high degree of probability.

“The Honourable Court, therefore, finds the Defendant Guilty of the One Count charge of Involuntary Manslaughter he stands faced with and is accordingly convicted.

“I hereby sentence the defendant to 12 years imprisonment from the day of judgment,” Justice Ogala concluded.