A 38-year-old driver, Sunday Okodo, has been convicted and sentenced to five years in prison by a Lagos State High Court for causing grievous bodily harm to a police officer, David Zapania, who is attached to the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, LASTMA.
Delivering the judgement on Wednesday, the trial judge, Justice Oyindamola Ogala, sentenced Okodo after finding him guilty on three out of the five charges brought against him by the Lagos State Government.
The convict was found guilty on counts two, four and five, while he was discharged and acquitted on the other counts.
The Lagos State Government accused Okodo of hitting the police officer with his vehicle while attempting to evade arrest for driving against traffic (one-way), resisting arrest, reckless and dangerous driving, driving without a valid driver’s licence, assaulting a police officer, and attempted murder.
He was arraigned on November 10, 2021, and pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge.
The State Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins, requested the maximum sentence for Okodo, emphasisng that the case is of public interest.
Meanwhile, the Defence Counsel, Mr. Ohemu, urged the court to temper justice with mercy, noting that the defendant is a first-time offender and has an elderly mother.
Before sentencing, Justice Ogala asked Okodo if he had anything to say. He responded, “I am sorry, ma.”
In rendering the verdict, Justice Ogala explained, “First, I want to state that sentencing remains within the discretion of the court. The aims of sentencing are retribution, deterrence, and the protection of society at large. In considering the sentence, the court must take into account the interests of the victim, the convict, and society.”
As for the sentence, Justice Ogala stated that for count two, Okodo is sentenced to four years for causing grievous bodily harm. However, the time served between February 2021 and November 2021 will be taken into account. For count four, he received a one-year sentence, and for count five, he was ordered to pay a fine of 20,000 Naira. The sentences will run concurrently.
