Driver Allegedly Slaps Police Officer, Threatens Another

A 35-year-old commercial bus driver, Amos Alade, who allegedly slapped a police officer and threatened another with a wheel spanner, on Wednesday appeared in an Apapa Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Mr. Alade was brought before the court on a two-count charge of assault and threatening violence. The accused, a resident of Ajegunle area of Apapa, Lagos, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Olusegun Kokoye, told the court that the accused committed the offences on June 15 at Bakare Garage, Cardoso Street, Kirikiri Town, Apapa, Lagos.

He said that Mr. Alade assaulted one of the complainants, Augustine Odey, by slapping him and tearing his police uniform while performing his lawful duty.

Mr. Kokoye said that the accused also threatened to use a wheel spanner to hit another police officer, Edwin Ugwugbo, who tried to settle the dispute.

The prosecutor said that the accused got angry because the policemen stopped him for driving in a reckless manner. He said that the accused was apprehended by the complainants and taken to the police station.

Mr. Kokoye noted that the offenses contravened Sections 57 and 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Section 173 prescribes three years jail term for a person convicted of serious assault.

The Senior Magistrate, M.A. Etti, granted the accused N100,000 bail, with one surety who must be gainfully employed.

He said that the surety must show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government. The case was adjourned until June 28 for further hearing.

NAN