Policeman arraigned for shooting 9-yr-old boy

A policeman, who allegedly shot and killed a nine-year-old boy while dispersing a mob, appeared before an Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, , yesterday, on a charge of manslaughter.

Thirty-nine-year-old Rasak Alowonle is facing a count charge.

According to the prosecutor, Inspector Richard Odigie, the  mob attempted to stop the accused from seizing a commercial bus.

Odigie told the court that the policeman committed the offence on June 13 at Mile 12, Ketu, Lagos.

The prosecutor said the accused and other members of his patrol team wanted to seize the bus from a driver who was obstructing traffic.

“The accused and his team tried to seize the commercial bus but the driver resisted,” he said.

Odigie submitted that the commotion drew the attention of a crowd that attacked the team with stones and broken bottles.

He said Alowonle shot a gun in an attempt to disperse the mob, and the bullet hit the boy.

Odigie said: “The victim’s parents and sister went to the MurtalaMuhammedInternationalAirport, Ikeja to pick up their eldest son, who arrived from Canada.

“The bullet went through the wind screen and hit the deceased, who was seated at the back seat, in his right eye.

“The deceased died on the spot but was rushed to a nearby hospital.”

He said that Alowonle, who was arrested by his colleagues, had been in police custody for the past four months.

According to Odigie, the offence contravenes Section 222 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A. A. Demi-Ajayi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000  with two sureties in like sum.

Demi-Ajayi adjourned the case to January15 for mention.

Vanguard