Cop Arraigned For Shooting Boy, 9

A policeman, Rasak Alowonle, has been arraigned before a Lagos chief magistrate court in Ebute Metta, on a one-count-charge of manslaughter, for allegedly shooting and killing a nine-year-old boy while dispersing a mob.

According to the prosecutor, Inspector Richard Odigie, the accused person committed the offence on June 13, 2013, at Mile 12, Ketu, Lagos while the mob attempted to stop him and members of his patrol team from seizing a commercial bus.

Odigie also claimed that Alowonle and other members of his patrol team wanted to seize the bus from a driver who was obstructing traffic, but the driver resisted.

Odigie further told the court that “the commotion attracted a mob who attacked the team with stones and broken bottles”, revealing that Alowonle shot in an attempt to disperse the mob, only for the bullet to hit the boy.

“The bullet went through the wind screen and hit the deceased, who was seated in the middle of the back seat, in his right eye. He died on the spot but was rushed to a nearby hospital,’’ Odigie said.

The prosecutor 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.

In his response, the accused, however, pled “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.

Deji-Ajayi further adjourned the case till January 15, 2014, for mention.