Nigeria: driver jailed five years for wounding a policeman

A 38-year-old driver has been sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Lagos State High Court for inflicting grievous bodily harm on a police.

Justice Oyindamola Ogala, who delivered the judgment, convicted the suspect on three of the five counts filed against him by the Lagos State Government.

The court found him guilty on counts two, four, and five and acquitted him on the remaining charges.

According to the prosecution, the suspect hit the victim with his vehicle while attempting to evade arrest for driving against traffic (one-way).

He was also accused of resisting arrest, reckless and dangerous driving, driving without a valid licence, assaulting a police officer, and attempted murder.

The suspect was first arraigned on November 10, 2021, and pleaded not guilty to the five counts.

Justice Ogala, in count two, sentenced Okodo to four years imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm.

On the fourth count, he was sentenced to one year, while the fifth count carried a fine of N20,000.

The judge ordered that all sentences be carried out simultaneously.