Driver Docked For Beating Up LASTMA Official While On Duty On Highway 

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A LASTMA official, Daniel Olusegun, was seriously brutalized and injured with his uniform torn while attempting to apprehend a driver over a traffic offence on the highway in Lagos State.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the 32-year old driver, James Agba, grabbed and beat him mercilessly before the official was rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment over the injuries he sustained.

The incident happened on 7th November, 2024, at Ikotun Round-about where the victim accosted the driver,  Agba, who engaged him in a public fight.

According to the Police, the LASTMA official accosted the suspect on the road for contravening an undisclosed traffic offence and they had altercation which led to exchange of words before it degenerated to a fight.

During the fight, the suspect, Agba, gained upper hand, beat the official mercilessly and tore his uniform before he escaped. However, he was later identified and arrested by the Police from Ikotun Division and detained at the station over his conduct.

Having been found culpable after interrogation, he was charged before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.

The charges read:

COUNT I: “That you, James Agba ‘M’ on 7th November, 2024, at about 11:00hrs, at Ikotun Round-about in Lagos Magisterial District, did fight one Adeleye Daniel Olusegun ‘M’ a LASTMA official while he was performing his official duty in his service uniform and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 174, of the Lagos State Criminal Laws, 2015.”

COUNT II:”That you, James Agba ‘M’ on same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did tear the LASTMA service uniform and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 174, of the Lagos State Criminal Laws, 2015.”

COUNT III:”That you, James Agba ‘M’ on same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did fight one Adeleye Daniel Olusegun ‘M’ a LASTMA official, and inflicted injury on his face and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 173, of the Lagos State Criminal Laws, 2015.”

He pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned.

The prosecutor, Supol Benedict Aigbokhan, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. K.A. Ariyo, granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while address will be verified by the Court.

The matter was adjourned till 29th November, 2024, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.