A former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Pen Cinema Police Station, Agege, Lagos state, Mr. Segun Fabunmi, has bee sentenced to 10 years in prison for manslaughter.
He had shot to death one Ademola Aderintola Daramola during the 2012 fuel subsidy protest in Lagos State. He was also found guilty of shooting three other persons, Alimi Abubakar, Egbujor Samuel and Chizorba Odoh, during the protest, thereby causing them grievous bodily harm.
Justice Akinlade jailed Fabunmi for five years on this count - both sentences are to run concurrently.
The ex-policeman, who was arraigned on May 5, 2013 by the Lagos State government on a seven-count charge bordering on murder, attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm, had argued that the shooting was accident.
He said him and his men had stormed Yaya-Abatan area of Ogba, where some people were terrorising the area, when a mob struggled to dispossess him of his AK-47 rifle. He said the shot was fired while he tried to retain possession of his rifle.
Having acknowledged that there was indeed a mob at the scene of the incident, the court resolved that his testimonies were conflicting.
"The only conclusion that can be drawn is that the defendant recklessly shot his rifle and in the process, the bullet hit the deceased. He definitely knew that shooting an AK-47 can cause grievous bodily harm to anyone the bullet hits.
"The fact that he was on a lawful duty did not mean that he should have shot his gun sporadically", the Judge said.
Justice Akinlade further noted that Fabunmi's sentence would have been more but for a good evidence provided by the defence team led by Mr. George Oguntade (SAN), which availed the defendant of the defence of provocation.
She said: "The defence of provocation will avail the defendant. It is evident that there was no time for his passion to cool before the gun was fired." The deceased who was a fashion designer, was shot around 9.00 a.m. on January 9, 2013. For more scintillating and juicy stories, follow the official Naijapals accounts On Twitter - https://twitter.com/Naijapals and Facebook - www.facebook.com/naijapals
I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist
Posted: at 14-12-2015 10:00 PM (9 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Well e still depends on how old he was well my heart gos to the family of the dead. if na America nothing go happen to the police even if na 1 million people he kill
Posted: at 15-12-2015 12:19 AM (9 years ago) | Upcoming
Finally justice have been served. But 10yrs is too small na. Life imprisonment would have been better. Useless DPO. Other baf policemen. will be brought to book soon. Nice judgement.
Posted: at 15-12-2015 06:00 AM (9 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Why then go give him 10years nw, why the jugde mouth no talk 150years. 9ja police were very stupid they dnt have human feeling at all, Any police found this way again should be giving long time jail.
Posted: at 15-12-2015 08:42 AM (9 years ago) | Hero
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