LASTMA officers testify in court on colleague’s death by hoodlums

In a dramatic trial at a Lagos High Court in Ikeja, two LASTMA officers testified about the tragic killing of their colleague, Godwin Obasu, by hoodlums during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 16, 2021. The defendants, drivers of Suzuki Mini Commercial vehicles, are facing charges of murder, assault, and bodily harm.

The prosecution witnesses, Adeoye Olayinka and Salam Olajide, recounted how the defendants used machetes and other weapons on the officers, resulting in the death of Obasu and severe injuries to another officer, Adeniyi Hakeem. The incident occurred after the officers apprehended a commercial bus violating traffic laws.

During the trial, Olayinka and Olajide detailed the events leading up to the attack and the tragic aftermath, with Olajide also revealing that he was personally targeted, losing money from his bank accounts during the chaos.

The trial is ongoing, with Justice Oshodi adjourning the case to September 30, 2024, for further hearings.