Magistrate To Appear Before Disciplinary Committee

A Magistrate, Mr. Aka Bashorun Olalekan will this week appear before the Public Complaints and Training Committee (PCTC) of the Lagos State Judiciary over allegation of abuse of office.

A driver with Coca Cola Nigeria Plc, Mr. Agbaje Idowu had petitioned the committee alleging that Magistrate Aka Bashorun used his office as a magistrate to intimidate, harass, assault and arrest him.

In the petition, Mr. Agbaje alleged that sometime in June 2010, while making a U-turn at a junction with his company’s Mercedes 911 truck, on his way to Abeokuta to supply drinks to a customer, Magistrate Aka Bashorun suddenly emerged from a corner and blocked him with his car.

Mr. Agbaje alleged that after an argument ensued between them on the appropriateness of making a U-turn at the junction, Magistrate Aka Bashorun attempted to hit him with a rod but missed. He added that the magistrate sustained a minor injury in his hand during the scuffled that ensued between them.

Mr. Agbaje further noted that he was shocked when the magistrate later ordered for his arrest and subsequent arraignment in court by the police.

At the court premises, the petitioner also alleged that Magistrate Aka Bashorun ordered policemen to beat him up before he was finally docked.

During the trial of the matter, the petitioner further alleged that the magistrate lost interest in the case and ordered the matter to be struck out.

Urging the committee to look into the matter, Mr. Agbaje said he is convinced that Magistrate Aka Bashorun was only out to intimidate and punish him with his position as a magistrate.

Magistrate Aka Bashorun in his writen response to the committee said all of Mr. Agbaje allegations were mere falsehood.

He noted that Mr. Agabje almost killed him and his daughter while making an illegal U-turn at a road junction.

He also denied attempting to hit the petitioner with an iron rod, stating that it was the petitioner who attempted to hit him with the rod.

As to why he withdrew from the matter, he said the driver begged him severally and after seeing how remorseful he was , he gave instruction to the investigating police officer handling the matter to withdraw it from the court.

Magistrate Aka Bashorun is expected to orally present his side of the story to the committee.

—Henry Ojelu