A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on Wednesday, convicted and sentenced a 38-year-old driver, Sunday Okodo, to five years imprisonment for inflicting grievous bodily harm on a police officer, David Zapania, attached to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.
Justice Oyindamola Ogala, who delivered the judgment, convicted Okodo on three of the five counts filed against him by the Lagos State Government.
The court found him guilty on counts two, four, and five and acquitted him on the remaining charges.
According to the prosecution, Okodo hit Zapania with his vehicle while attempting to evade arrest for driving against traffic (one-way).
He was also accused of resisting arrest, reckless and dangerous driving, driving without a valid licence, assaulting a police officer, and attempted murder.
Okodo was first arraigned on November 10, 2021, and pleaded not guilty to the five counts.
The state Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr Babajide Martins, requested the maximum sentence for Okodo, emphasising that the case was of public interest.
Meanwhile, the defence counsel, Mr Boniface Ohemu, urged the court to temper justice with mercy, noting that the defendant was a first-time offender and had an elderly mother.
Before sentencing, Justice Ogala asked Okodo if he had anything to say. He responded, “I am sorry, Ma.”
While handing down the verdict, Justice Ogala stressed that sentencing serves as retribution, deterrence, and protection of society.
She noted that the interests of the victim, the convict, and society must be balanced in determining the appropriate punishment.
“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,” she said.
Justice Ogala, in count two, sentenced Okodo to four years imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm.
She, however, said with the time he spent in custody between February and November 2021, it would be credited towards his sentence.
For count four, he received a one-year sentence, while count five carried a fine of N20,000.
The judge ordered that all sentences would run concurrently.