Court frees man accused of killing LASTMA officer
Ibrahim Yusuf has been acquitted of charges related to the killing of LASTMA officer Olatunde Awotola, as the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence.
In a significant ruling on Monday, the Ikeja High Court discharged and acquitted Ibrahim Yusuf, a 29-year-old man accused of killing Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officer, Mr. Olatunde Awotola. Justice Oyindamola Ogala determined that the prosecution failed to establish its case for two charges: involuntary manslaughter and causing grievous bodily harm.
During the proceedings, Justice Ogala highlighted the absence of concrete evidence, including any documentation from the sole prosecution witness, and noted that no report had been filed at a police station regarding the incident.
The case stemmed from an alleged confrontation on February 12, 2022, in Kosoko Ojodu, Lagos, where it was claimed that Yusuf stabbed Awotola in the head and neck during an attempt to arrest him for obstructing traffic. However, the court found that the prosecution did not adequately prove the allegations, leading to the verdict of not guilty.
This outcome underscores the importance of evidence in legal proceedings, particularly in serious criminal cases where the burden of proof lies heavily on the prosecution.
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