A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced a 38-year-old driver, Sunday Okodo, to five years in prison for causing grievous bodily harm to a police officer, David Zapania, attached to the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA).
Okodo had in a 2021 viral video knocked the officer into a canal while evading arrest along Airport Road bridge, Charity bus-stop, Lagos. The incident occurred on February 24, 2021.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Oyindamola Ogala sentenced Okodo after finding him guilty on three out of the five charges brought by the Lagos State Government.
He was accused of hitting the police officer with his vehicle while attempting to evade arrest for driving one-way, resisting arrest, reckless driving, driving without a valid driver’s licence, assaulting a police officer, and attempted murder.
He was in February 26, remanded in prison and arraigned on November 10, 2021. He pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge. The State Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins, requested the maximum sentence for Okodo, emphasizing that the case is of public interest. But 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 her 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 2024 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.
