CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A Police Inspector, Bassey Ofem, has narrowly escaped death while performing his lawful duty when a private driver, Olumide Oseni, allegedly attempted to crush him on the highway in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 6th November, 2022, at about 12.20 pm, at Ijegun – Isheri Oshun Road, Lagos, where Inspector Ofem was performing his official duty.
The 34-year old driver, Oseni, has been arrested and subsequently charged before the Ejigbo Magistrates Court, on a three-count charge of assault, attempted murder and breach of the peace.
The prosecutor, Supol Benedict Aigbokhan, told the Court that the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by driving against traffic with his Toyota Camry marked JJJ 648 HH on the highway.
Supol Aigbokhan said the defendant refused to stop when he was signaled to do so by the victim, Ofem, who was on duty. Rather than obey the Lagos State traffic rules, he hit Police officer with his vehicle.
“The Police officer tried to dodge the vehicle but sustained injury on his right leg,” Aigbokhan said.
The prosecutor said that the defendant willfully attempted to murder the officer, despite seeing the officer with the Nigerian Police uniform with his rifle, which contravened Sections 56 (a), 168(d) and 172 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
He pleaded not guilty.
The Magistrate, K. A. Ariyo, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The Court ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government.
The matter was adjourned till 28th November, 2022, for mention while the defendant was remanded in Correctional Centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.