Policeman arraigned over shooting of 9-year-old
(Nigeria) A policeman, who allegedly shot and killed a nine-year-old
boy while dispersing a mob, on Thursday appeared before an Ebute-Meta Chief
Magistrate Court in Lagos on a charge of manslaughter.
Thirty-nine-year-old Rasak Alowonle is facing a count charge
.
According to the Prosecutor, Insp Richard Odigie, the mob attempted to stop the accused from
seizing a commercial bus.
Odigie told the court that the policeman committed the
offence on June 13 at Mile 12, Ketu, Lagos.
The prosecutor said that the accused and other members of
his patrol team wanted to seize the bus from a driver who was obstructing
traffic.
``The accused and his team tried to seize the commercial bus
but the driver resisted,’’ he said.
Odigie submitted that `the commotion drew the attention of a
crowd that attacked the team with stones and broken bottles.
He said that Alowonle shot a gun in an attempt to disperse
the mob, and the bullet hit the boy.
“The victim’s parents and sister went to the Murtala
Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja to
pick up their eldest son, who arrived from Canada. The bullet went through the
wind screen and hit the deceased, who was seated in the middle of the back
seat, in his right eye.
“The deceased died on the spot but was rushed to a nearby
hospital,’’ Odigie said.
He said that Alowonle, who was arrested by his colleagues,
had been in police custody for the past four months.
According to Odigie, the offence contravenes Section 222 of
the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.A. Demi-Ajayi, granted the
accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with
two sureties in like sum.
Demi-Ajayi adjourned the case till January 15 for mention.
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