A 35-year-old truck driver, Tairu Bello, was on Friday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court for allegedly assaulting a police officer and committing traffic offences in Lagos.
Bello is facing a four-count charge of assault, driving without driver’s licence and reckless driving.
The prosecutor, Sergeant Iyabosa Onaiwum told the court that the defendant committed the offences on October 29, 2018 at about 11am along Apapa-Oshodi Expressway by UBA Kirikiri.
“The defendant assaulted one Inspector Barnabas Karma (Force number 176250) being a police officer attached to Kirikiri Police Station from performing his lawful duty by holding him on his uniform,” Onaiwu said.
The prosecutor added that the defendant being the driver in charge of DAF truck with registration number AKD 223 XL drove same without driver’s license and drove in manner which was reckless and dangerous to the public having regard to the circumstances of the case including the nature.
According to him, the offences are punishable under sections 174(a), 174(c) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 and Section 7 Cap 124 Vol 6 of the Road Traffic Law 2003.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Magistrate, O. A Erinle granted the defendant bail in the sum of N80,000 with two responsible sureties in like sum.
The sureties, according to the Magistrate must be gainfully employed and must furnish the court with evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case till November 28, 2018 for mention.