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At the resumed hearing of the case, Police prosecutor, Chukwu Agwu, applied to the court to withdraw the earlier charge of manslaughter and substituted it with the new one.
The old charge which was drafted on the old Lagos State Road Traffic Law 2003 was replaced with the new Lagos State Road Traffic Law 2012.
The new charge read, “That you Yinka Johnson ‘on August 10, at about 8:30am at Mega Chicken, Ikota Ajah expressway Lekki, Lagos did drive your Land Rover Jeep with registration No- CY 276 LSD on the highway recklessly by driving your vehicle against oncoming vehicle and without reasonable consideration for other road users and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 7(b) of the Lagos State Road Traffic Law 2012.”
The accused however pleaded not guilty to the new charge.
Attempts by the lawyer of the accused, Emeka Okpoko to argue that his client cannot be charged under the new traffic law as it is yet to be enforced proved abortive.
Mr Okpoko argued that various publications in some newspapers gave the impression that the law was yet to take effect as government planned to carry out public enlightenment on the said law before implementing it.
The trial Magistrate, Jacob Adegun ruled that the Prosecution has the right to substitute the charge under the law.
After the arraignment, the police prosecutor informed the court that Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has called for the case file and urged the court to adjourn the matter until the DPP gives further directive on the matter.
The accused person was however, granted bail on the earlier conditions while the Magistrate has adjourned the case till 28 September for mention.
The court had earlier granted bail to Mrs Johnson in the sum N50, 000 with one surety in like sum.
Mrs Johnson, an employee of Stanbic IBTC, drove a Range Rover Jeep against traffic at Mega City, Ikota, along Lekki-Epe Expressway and was accosted by a LASTMA official who allegedly seized the keys of the vehicle.
Eye witnesses reportedly said while the traffic official attempted to cross to the other side of the road, he was crushed by a fast moving commercial bus. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Mrs Johnson! If U are a Christian go down on ur knees and table d case b4 God believe d case is cancelled in Jesus' Name, Amen.
ReplyDeletewhat kind of a country is this? Forst, they accused the woman of killing somebody,now, she is aaraingned for traffic offence? the question is, who has the right under the law to arraing somenoe for traffick law? Police, FRSC, or LASMA, Must she be taken to court under a new law when the old law was in place as at the time of committing this "offence"? what is the current state of this road? Is any road under construction be termed single or double lanes?
ReplyDeleteWho are these rougues ruling Lagos state?
Where is her human right in all these? I guess this SAN governor is not ashamed......Madam, sue government too for the embarrassment they caused you....Any further legal advise from great lawyers of this country?
Madam, first it is wrong to drive against traffic. U broke the law there and should be punished for that. But under which law? Old or new. I believe that if the offence was truly committed when d old law is in force, then that should be d your argument. But if not, then d new law should be. But I think your legal team needs to argue along this line not for them to say that the new law is not en vogue yet until sensitization is complete. May the Good LORD be with you on this.
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