A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Thursday convicted and sentenced commercial bus driver Elijah Shokoya to 12 years imprisonment for the manslaughter of a Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) officer.
Justice Oyindamola Ogala found Shokoya guilty of killing LASTMA officer Olawale Akinmade, who died on January 27, 2012.
“The prosecution has established beyond reasonable doubt that the deceased died, that the unlawful acts of 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 judge stated.
The Lagos State Government accused Shokoya of knocking down Akinmade with a blue and black Opel space bus with the number plate AAA 74 GG while he was controlling traffic. The incident occurred at Demurin Street junction inward Mile 12, resulting in severe injuries to Akinmade’s head and body. The prosecution argued that the offense contravened Section 224 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and is punishable under Section 229.
Shokoya, who was arraigned nine years after the incident on June 23, 2021, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In her judgment, Justice Ogala addressed whether the prosecution had successfully proved the charge of involuntary manslaughter against Shokoya. She emphasized that the burden of proof in criminal cases rests on the prosecution and must be beyond reasonable doubt.
“As regards the death of Akinmade Samson Olawale, there seems to be no dispute as to the death of the deceased,” she said.
The first prosecution witness, Aderonke Malik, testified that she saw Shokoya pushing the deceased into the front of his vehicle. Malik stated that she ran to the scene, asking Shokoya to stop the car, but he did not, and the deceased kept banging on the bonnet to make him stop. Shokoya did not stop until he knocked down the deceased.
The Investigating Police Officer also provided direct evidence of the incident, which the court found credible despite the defense’s objections.
“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,” Justice Ogala explained.
“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,” she concluded.
