Driver who killed LASTMA officer gets 12-year jail
A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Thursday convicted and sentenced a commercial bus driver, Elijah Shokoya, to 12 years imprisonment for killing an officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency.
Justice Oyindamola Ogala sentenced Shokoya after finding him guilty of the offence of manslaughter.
The judge held that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt the one count of the manslaughter of the LASTMA officer, Olawale Akinmade, who died on Wednesday, January 27, 2012.
The judge said, “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 Lagos State Government had accused the convict of knocking down Akinmade with a blue and black Opel space bus with number plate AAA 74 GG while controlling traffic, and he suffered injuries to his head and body.
The prosecution, who said that the tragic incident occurred at Demurin Street junction inward Mile 12, stated that the offence contravened Section 224 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and is punishable under Section 229.
The convict was arraigned nine years after the incident on June 23, 2021, and pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge.
Delivering her judgement, Justice Ogala held that the sole issue for determination was whether the totality of the evidence before the court, of the prosecution, had successfully proved the charge of involuntary manslaughter preferred against Shokoya to enable it to convict him thereof.
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The judge pointed out that the position of the law was indeed well settled that the burden of proof in criminal cases rests on the prosecution, and the standard of proof is proved beyond reasonable doubt.
She held, “As regards the death of Akinmade Samson Olawale, there seems to be no dispute as to the death of the deceased.
“The testimonies of the first prosecution witness, Aderonke Malik, testified that she saw Shokoya pushing the deceased into the front of his vehicle.
“Her testimony is that she ran there asking Shokoya to stop the car, but he did not, and that the deceased kept on banging the bonnet of the vehicle to stop.”
She testified that Shokoya did not stop until he knocked down the deceased.
“Also, in this instant case, it is instructive that the Investigating Police Officer also gave direct evidence of what she saw, heard and investigated. The court, therefore, finds that the evidence cannot be faulted as suggested by the defence in this instance.
“It must be pointed out that 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.
“Once the ingredients of the offence the accused is charged with are proved, that constitutes proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and for him to be entitled to the benefit of the doubt, the doubt must be a genuine and reasonable one arising from some evidence before the court.
“The Honourable Court, therefore, finds Elijah Shokoya guilty of the one count charge of involuntary manslaughter he stands faced with and is accordingly convicted.
“I hereby sentence Shokoya to 12 years imprisonment from the day of judgment,” Justice Ogala held.
Why we want Natasha out of Senate – Kogi Central constituents
The Constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District has explained why they want to recall Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, their representative in the Nigerian Senate back home.
“For us as Ebira people, we are determined to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan. While she is at home, she may learn the rudiments of representing her constituents better” the indigenes across the five Local Government Areas of the Senatorial district, under the aegis of Kogi Central Elites Forum (KCEF), said in a statement jointly signed by Alh. Ibrahim Abdulazeez Ibrahim (President) and Prince Akerejola Johnson (Secretary) in Lokoja.
The concerned indigenes, who are of Ebira extraction like the embattled senator, said they resolved to bring the embattled senator back home, given the alleged embarrassment she had caused the senatorial district internationally.
They condemned, in strong terms, insinuations that the recall process against the lawmaker representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, was not endorsed by majority of the electorate in the area.
They urged Nigerians to disregard the deliberate mischief suggesting that people were deceived to come out for the recall exercise.
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“No one is sponsoring this recall. Our people are largely united on this cause. From the history of Ebiras, you know we cannot be deceived.
“Even some of us that supported Natasha on social media then are no longer with her. We cannot trade the integrity of the state and Nigeria.
“A matter as simple as not taking an assigned seat in the senate should not be one that would warrant a “sexual harassment” national embarrassment of this nature. This is not who we are as Ebiras.”
On the issue of INEC disclaiming the exercise, the constituents said the response was misconstrued.
“INEC has no official role until after this signature collection phase. We are the ones that are doing the recall, the petitioners. We have to ensure that the required threshold is met before formally presenting it for verification. This is where INEC comes in.”
They urged the public to disregard any mischievous interpretation of the recall process, saying some politicians would always release statements based on their leanings and interests.
“Ordinarily, we would never have allowed anyone to intimidate our daughter if she was on her right. But in this particular instance, she disrespected the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which has clear rules and went on to introduce slants that have never been heard of in the history of the senate.
” This is not about content creation like many people have said.”
The national assembly has been hit by allegations of sexual harassment against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, after Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly refused to respect the senate rules and was penalised.
(NAN)
More trouble brews in Rivers as Ijaw congress considers self-determination option
Tuesday’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu has rekindled the quest for self-determination by the Ijaw ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta.
Prof Benjamin Okaba, president of Ijaw National Congress, INC, the Ijaw apex socio-cultural group, told Vanguard: “For Ijaw people, we are not too happy because we see this as another slap on us. But again, our position will be deliberated upon in a wider stakeholders’ meeting that will be convened later.
“In that meeting, I am sure the Ijaw people will look at how we have fared in this Nigerian project and what options are left to drive home our quest for self-determination.
“We say it is hasty because the President has so much opportunity to leverage on the calls made by Nigerians from all quarters to call his minister, Nyesom Wike, to order.
“Secondly, while Wike himself has been the antagonist, he had boldly stated that he would make governance impossible for the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, in as much as he does not dance to his tune.
“In a recent statement credited to him, he (Wike) said the two conditions he must meet are: ‘Allow him to control all the LGAs in Rivers State, and that he (Fubara) should sign an agreement that he would not contest in 2027.’
“So, the man, Wike, is desperate to capture state power and resources, as we had said earlier, and persistently. He wants to turn Rivers State into his property, and the people of Rivers State are the ones to suffer.
“The governor, who entered into a covenant with the people of Rivers to deliver on sustainable development, cannot mortgage that mandate because he wants to satisfy somebody.
“These are obvious facts flying all over the place, and I thought the President should have looked at all of these. I said it is lopsided—why will you leave Wike and sack Sim? The best thing is to remove everybody who played a role in this.
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“The cry that they want to take over Rivers State is gradually playing out and is not better for democracy.
“The other issue in this state of emergency is that we have seen right from the beginning that the declaration was one of the options Wike was looking at. He felt if the judiciary cannot remove him quickly; if the House of Assembly could not take him off; then the next option is to create a chaotic situation so that an emergency can be imposed on the state.”
Reacting, a retired president of Delta State Customary Court, Miakpor Emiaso, said: “I suppose it is an inevitable, yet, unfortunate imperative that we have found ourselves in Rivers State.
“Apart from a few underlying misgivings that I have, it was inevitable. I mean that something had to give way. The way the gladiators in Rivers State were going, we could not continue like that, ridiculing the entire government apparatus and even embarrassing the judiciary as a fallout.
“My misgivings are one; the president’s language declaring the state of emergency has some subtle political bias. If you noticed, the president never mentioned the name of the speaker in the broadcast, nor did he refer to the well-known external influence on the House of Assembly, which is the origin of this crisis.
“As it is now, the state of emergency seems to have given thumbs up for vaunting godfatherism because you could say that now that the president has gone this way, he has not mentioned the external influence, especially Wike, who is the origin of all these. This shows that he has a bias that he needs to cure.
“If the President wants to be viewed as fair, he should move Wike from where he is now; otherwise, Wike will not keep quiet. He will try to reach the administrator to influence him in one way or another.
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“Again, I say that the six-month state of emergency is excessive. It is too long, especially when you drafted a retired military officer to run the state as an administrator.”
Similarly, former president of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Dr. Chris Ekyor, asserted: “The state of emergency came to me as a rude shock. It gives the impression that the president is answerable to his minister.
“Wike strategically orchestrated all the crises in Rivers State while the president watched. What are the contending issues of the Rivers State’s politics? The defection of 27 lawmakers, and what does the Electoral Act say about such a defection
“I’m concerned about how the judges ruled that the 27 members are legitimate members of the House after defecting and breaching the law. The real problem in Nigeria is the court delivering fair justice.
“If it had been done correctly, the current crisis in Rivers State would have been long resolved. Wike left the issues and threatened the entire Ijaw people over a mere disagreement with his candidate,who became governor of Rivers State. How does that concern the rest of the Ijaw people?
“He insulted Ijaw in Abuja at a media parley. Then he came to the heart of Ijaw land, shot at our women and children with tear gas, and further insulted us by asking, ‘How many dem dey?’
“We did not respond with violence to allow peace to reign, knowing that his goal was to cause the president to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.
“President Tinubu rebelled against the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, between 2003 and 2007, as the governor of Lagos State. No state of emergency was declared on him. Under President Yar’Adua, Atlas Cove was blown in 2009; no state of emergency in Lagos?
“How did the president conclude that Fubara is behind the explosions in Rivers State? Why does he not think it is those fighting him? Is there no Joint Task Force, JTF, securing the pipelines anymore? Why is the government spending heavily on pipeline security? Is there any breakdown of law and order in the state to warrant what the president did?’’
Vanguard
Obi, Bala Mohammed ticket can defeat Tinubu – South-South Alliance
In a significant Political development, the South-South Alliance for Prosperity (SSAP) has officially endorsed a collaboration between 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement released on Tuesday, SSAP Chairman Ebok John emphasized that the partnership between Obi and Mohammed represents a pivotal moment in Nigerian politics. He described the alliance as a beacon of hope for citizens yearning for responsive, accountable, and inclusive governance.
“The South-South Alliance for Prosperity is proud to announce its full support for the strategic partnership between Governor Bala Mohammed and Mr. Peter Obi. This collaboration marks a turning point in Nigeria’s political trajectory and reflects the urgent need for leadership that prioritizes the welfare of the people,” John stated.
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Governor Bala Mohammed, a seasoned politician with a track record of effective governance in Bauchi State, and Peter Obi, a former Anambra State governor renowned for his fiscal prudence and commitment to social justice, bring complementary strengths to the table. According to SSAP, their alliance transcends mere political strategy, embodying a shared vision for a better Nigeria.
“Governor Mohammed’s administrative expertise, combined with Peter Obi’s innovative approach to governance, creates a formidable force capable of driving meaningful change. This partnership is not just about politics; it’s about uniting for the common good of all Nigerians,” John added.
SSAP highlighted the critical challenges facing Nigeria, including economic instability, insecurity, and widespread disillusionment among citizens. The alliance between Mohammed and Obi, the group argued, offers a fresh perspective and a renewed commitment to tackling these issues head-on.
“Nigeria is at a crossroads, and this alliance provides a glimmer of hope. It signals a departure from the status quo and a move toward a new era of leadership that is inclusive, transparent, and focused on national development,” the statement read.
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