By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has fixed February 1, 2024 for adoption of final written addresses by parties in a criminal case of manslaughter in which one Elijah Shokoya is standing trial.
Shokoya is being charged for manslaughter by causing the death of a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officer.
The trial judge, Justice Oyindamola Ogala gave both defence and prosecution counsels up to December 20, 2023, and January 20, 2024, respectively, to file and serve their respective final written addresses.
At the continuation of the trial on Tuesday, the court proceeded with the testimony of a defence witness, the Group General Manager of Human Resources Department at Dangote Cement Plc. Mr Ahmed Gobir who during the proceedings, identified a copy of the company’s terms and conditions.
Mr Gobir was led in his testimony by the defence counsel, Mr Ebunola Ewonowu.
When asked about the defendant’s employment status. Gobir responded that the defendant was part of a pool of employees who could be assigned to drive senior staff, either Nigerian or expatriate.
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The Group General Manager Dangote Cement Group stated that they did not hire any driver without a valid driver’s license. In addition , he claimed that there was no record of any accident involving the defendant, at least to his knowledge.
While cross examining the witness, the Lagos State Prosecutor, Mr Ola Azeez, asked the witness if he was present at the scene of the incident, to which he replied in the negative. Azeez also asked if the witness had any knowledge of what happened at the scene of the incident, to which the witness replied that he did not.
Elijah Shokoya was alleged to have killed Mr Olawale Akinmade, an officer of LASTMA when he ran over him with an Open car with Lagos-registered number AAA 74 GG.
The alleged incident took place on January 26, 2021, at 7:20 p.m. at Demurin Junction on Ikorodu Road in Ketu, Lagos State.
The defendant was charged to court on June 23, 2021 for the alleged offence.