An 18-year old bus conductor, Azeez Balogun, has displayed his boxing prowess in Lagos State by engaging and knocking off his passenger’s two teeth during a public brawl over N100 change.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 24th June, 2023, at Ile – Epo Bus Stop, Abule Egba Road, Lagos, where the passenger, Shina Olarewaju, boarded a commercial bus from Ile Epo to Abule Egba and an argument ensued between them over collection of change.
The Police stated that the victim boarded the bus to an undisclosed place, paid certain amount of money and then requested for his change, but the conductor, Balogun, refused to give him.
The disagreement led to physical fighting between the duo and in the process, Balogun displayed his boxing skills, knocked off Olarewaju’s teeth and he was said to have bled profusely.
The conductor was held and handed over to the Police in the area, where he was detained for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
He was found culpable after interrogation and subsequently charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged assault.
The prosecutor, Supol Raji Akeem, told the Court that the offence contravened Section 173 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State.
He stated that the complainant, Mr Shina Olarewaju, boarded a Lagos commercial bus from Ile Epo to Abule Egba and an argument ensued over N100.00 (One hundred Naira) change.
The prosecutor stated that during the argument, the defendant dragged the complainant down, beat him up, removed two of his teeth with punches and he tore the complainant’s clothes in the process.
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The Presiding Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Bola Osunsanmi, granted the defendant bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The Court adjourned the matter till 8th August, 2023, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.
The complainant was said to have regretted the ugly incident because he will have to live the rest of his life without the two teeth as they could not be fixed.