Driver Smashes LASTMA Official’s Head With Wheel Spanner Over Alleged Extortion

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 37-year old driver, Sunday Akpan, has been arrested in Lagos State for allegedly engaging and smashing LASTMA official’s head over extortion. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Akowonjo Roundabout, Akowonjo area of Lagos, where the LASTMA official, Oguntimilehim Francis, went to perform his official duty before he was attacked. 

The suspect, Akpan, was said to have been apprehended over an alleged traffic offence by the LASTMA official, who wanted to take the vehicle to their office for the offender, Akpan, to be cautioned and probably given the necessary fine. 

However, the suspect refused insisting that he was not going to their office because he did not commit any offence. 

He accused the LASTMA official to have deliberately apprehended him in order to extort money from him.

This resulted in the exchange of words between the duo and in the process, the suspect reportedly took his wheel spanner and smashed the victim’s head.

He was said to have bled profusely and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment while the suspect, Akpan, reportedly escaped after the incident.

The matter was reported to the Police at Shasha Division, who later trailed and arrested Akpan. He was subsequently charged before the Ejigbo Magistrates Court for the alleged assault on the LASTMA official. 

When he was arraigned, he pleaded not guilty.  

The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence, which brought him before the Court. 

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs T. A. Dosumu, granted Akpan bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum. 

The defendant was remanded in custody pending when he will perfect his bail conditions while the matter was adjourned till 28th April, 2022, for mention.