Truck Owner and Driver Charged with Assaulting Police OfficerTruck Owner and Driver Charged with Assaulting Police Officer A truck owner, Samuel Kuzoru (61), and his driver, Itoro Bassey, were arraigned before the Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State on Monday for allegedly assaulting a police officer on lawful duty. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges of assault, disturbing the peace, and disobeying traffic laws. According to the prosecutor, Inspector Ayodele Adeosun, the incident occurred on June 22 at the Badagry roundabout on the Lagos-Badagry expressway. The defendants allegedly assaulted ASP Michael Oladejo by beating him and pulling his beret off his head. Adeosun also stated that the driver, Itoro Bassey, was operating a commercial van without a valid driver’s license. The truck owner, Samuel Kuzoru, allegedly violated traffic rules by allowing Bassey to drive a vehicle without a valid license. The offenses contravene sections 174, 168, and 122 of the Lagos State Penal Code, 2015. Chief Magistrate Patrick Adekomaiya granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100,000 each with two sureties in a similar amount. One of the sureties must be gainfully employed and have proof of paying taxes to the Lagos State government. The case was adjourned until July 15 for further hearing.
A truck owner, Samuel Kuzoru, 61, and his driver, Itoro Bassey, appeared before the Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State on Monday, accused of assaulting a police officer on lawful duty.
The suspects – Kuzoru and Bassey – whose home addresses have not been provided, face three counts of assault, disturbing the peace and disobeying traffic laws.
The suspects have denied being guilty of all charges.
The prosecutor, Insp. Ayodele Adeosun told the court that the defendants committed the offenses at about 1.30pm on June 22 at Badagry roundabout on the Lagos-Badagry expressway.
Adeosun said the suspects allegedly attacked ASP Michael Oladejo, attached to Badagry Divisional Police Headquarters, by beating him along with others who were now at large.
The prosecutor stated that the driver and others behaved in a manner that could disturb public order, by pulling the beret off the officer’s head and throwing it on the ground.
“The driver of a Mazda commercial van with license plate EPE 627 XV was driving on public roads without a valid driver’s license.
“Kuzoru, the owner of the bus, also violated traffic rules by giving his bus to Bassey, who did not have a valid driver’s license.
“The offences contravene sections 174, 168 and 122 of the Lagos State Penal Code, 2015,” he said.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Patrick Adekomaiya, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100,000 each and two sureties in a similar amount.
Adekomaiya said one of the guarantors had to be gainfully employed and have proof of paying taxes to the Lagos State government.
The chief magistrate adjourned the case until July 15, so that it could be discussed again.
