Driver, conductor arraigned for allegdedly battering five VIO officials

The police at the Maroko Division, Lekki, Lagos State, have arraigned a truck driver, Yohanna Amos, 32 and his conductor, Baba Muibi, 25 before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court for allegedly assaulting five Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs), who were on lawful duty, by using wooden planks to beat them and inflict injuries all over their bodies.

The police identified the victims as Anjorin John Olufolahan, Idowu Femi, Onanuga Adeleye Sunday, Sifawu Timirisiya and Tijani Rasak. The accused were arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court on a one-count charge of assault, occasioning bodily harm.

Police prosecutor, Sgt Nicolas Akpene, informed the court that the accused persons committed the offence on March 29, 2016 along Ligali Ayorinde Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Akpene told the court presided over by Magistrate P. A . Adekomaiya that the injured VIO officers stopped a truck with Registration Number, FKJ 402 XS driven by the first accused and demanded for his drivers licence and vehicle papers, but instead of the accused to obey and produce the documents, he and his conductor descended on the officers with wooden planks and inflicted serious injuries on them.

Akpene said the offence the accused persons committed is punishable under section 172 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2016.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the allegations and the magistrate admitted them to bail in the sum of N20,000 each with one surety each in like sum.

Adekomaiya adjourned the case to April 20 for mention while the defendants were taken to Ikoyi Prison pending when they will fulfill their bail conditions.