30th June, 2024
By Paul Iyoghojie
The Police at the Adeniji Division, Lagos Island of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a driver, Elijah Etofia, 29, and charged him before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court for allegedly attacking a Lastma officer, two Police and Neighborhood officers on lawful duty.
Etofia allegedly attacked the officers when he was challenged for making a U-turn at an unauthorised spot at Oyebanji Junction, Adeniji Adele, Lagos Island with his Toyota Hilux pickup van with plate number, APP 331 HN.
Police alleged that the defendant assaulted the officers; one Jegede Lookman, a Lastma officer attached to Olowu Unit; two Police officers, ASP Omomo Kehinde and PC Otene Michael attached to Adeniji Adele Division and a Neighbourhood Officer, Okedina Mukadadas and in the process tored the Lastma officer’s uniform and inflicted injuries on them.
The defendant who lives at Royal Estate, Surulere and works with Industrial Export attached to Procher Hotel, Lekki was charged before the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court on a two-count charge bordering on assault occasioning bodily harm.
Police prosecuting Counsel, Inspector Ajaga Agboko informed the court in the charge marked TA/53/2024 that the defendant committed the offence on 25 June 2024 at Oyebanji Street, Adeniji Adele, Lagos Island.
Agboko told the Court that the defendant took the law into his own hands by attacking a Lastma officer, two Police officers and a Neighbourhood Watch officer and inflicted injuries on them while performing their lawful duty leading to his arrest.
He said the offences, the defendant committed were punishable under sections 168(d) and 176 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and Magistrate T.A Idowu granted him N200,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
Idowu adjourned the case till 18 July 2024 for mention and ordered that the defendant be detained at the Ikoyi correctional facility till he perfected the bail conditions.
