A 27-year old tricycle operator, Sanni Abdulahi who attempted to hang himself in a police cell in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, has told a court that he actually wanted to commit suicide because he was tired of police harassment and intimidation on the road where he operates.
The Kwara state-born man who is married and has two kids, said if he had succeded and died the police will not see him to molest, extort and arrest on the road.
Abdulahi was accosted by the police at Ijora Badia area for contravening traffic law by allegedly riding against traffic with his tricycle with registration number Y15 EPE .
P.M.NEWS gathered that he was not the only operator plying that route that day but he was arrested.
He resisted the arrest and claimed that he was not the only tricycle rider plying the same route and demanded to know why the police singled him out for arrest.
He reportedly fought the team of policemen led by Inspector Boboye Adesanoye and injured some of them.
P.M.NEWS gathered from his wife that he was arrested because he did not give bribe to them as he used to do before because he had no money that day.
He was later over powered and taken to the station where he was detained in a cell.
While he was inside the cell, he removed his clothes and tied to his neck and was trying to tie it on a rod to hang himself before his co-immates raised the alarm and he was prevented from doing so.
The police quickly charged him to court with attempted suicide and assault.
When the charge was read to him, he pleaded guilty to attempted suicide before the presiding Magistrate, Mr M K O Fadeyi at Apapa Magistrate’s court, while on assault and flouting of traffic laws, he pleaded not guilty.
The court found him guilty as charged on attempted suicide and subsequently sentenced him to one month imprisonment.
He was granted bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum for other offences.
While serving his jail term, he will come from prison custody to face other criminal charges against him.
The matter was adjourned till 10 May, 2013.
P.M.NEWS Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
Justice in did. Nigeria we hail thee
ReplyDelete