A witness, Ahmed Gobir, on Thursday testified that Elijah Shokoya, charged with causing the death of an officer of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), had been a driver at the Dangote Cement Plc. since 2012.
Gobir, Group General Manager, Human Resources Department of the company, said that Shokoya was duly employed by the company.
The defence witness was being cross-examined by defence counsel, Mr Ebunola Ewonowu.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shokoya is charged with involuntary manslaughter.
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He allegedly caused the death of Mr Olawale Akinmade, an officer of LASTMA, when he ran him over with an Opel car with Lagos registration number AAA 74 GG.
The alleged incident occurred at 7. 20 p.m. on Jan. 26, 2021, on Ikorodu Road by Demurin Junction, Ketu, Lagos State.
Shokoya was arraigned on June 23, 2021.
He, however, pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N2.5 million and two sureties.
During proceedings on Thursday, Ewonowu asked if the defendant had an appointment letter as a staff of the company, and the witness answered in the affirmative.
The counsel asked about the job of the defendant in the company, and Gobir said that the defendant worked as a driver.
Gobir testified that every employee of the company was given terms and conditions of service to guide his or her operations.
He identified the letter of appointment and the terms and conditions of service document.
He, however, noted that they were photostat copies as the original copies were with the defendant.
He added that the terms and conditions of service document had been made available electronically.
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The defence counsel then tendered the copies (letter of appointment and terms of condition of service document) in evidence.
Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr Babajide Martins, however, objected, arguing that the copies were not original and not in accordance with Section 84 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that when the defence counsel prayed to withdraw the documents saying he was not joining issues with the DPP, he was only allowed to withdraw the terms and conditions of service document.
Following a request by the defence counsel for adjournment of the case, Justice Oyindamola Ogala adjourned the case until Nov. 20 by for continuation of defence.
NAN reports that involuntary manslaughter contravenes the provisions of Section 224 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. (NAN)
