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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Police arraign trgigger-happy cop for killing a commuter

A police sergeant, Ifeanyi Orumgbe, on Wednesday appeared before an Ebute Meta Magistrate's Court in Lagos for fatally shooting a commuter.

The accused, 45, is standing trial over a one-count charge of unlawful killing.

Orumgbe, who until the incident was attached to the FESTAC Town Police Divisional Headquarters, Lagos, was on patrol when he shot and killed the commuter, the prosecutor, Sgt. Gabriel Ekundayo, told the court.

He alleged that in a bid to stop a moving Toyota Hiace bus, the accused in the company of other policemen shot at the bus, adding that the bullet fired by him hit a passenger, Michael Egwu, 33.

The passenger was later confirmed dead at the hospital,’’ according to the prosecutor.

Orumgbe said the offence which was committed on Aug. 19, 2009 at 5th Avenue Junction, Festac Town contravened Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State and punishable with a death penalty.

Magistrate, H.O. Omisore, did not take the plea of the accused and ordered him to be remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons pending advice from the Office of the State Director of Public Prosecutions.

The case was adjourned till Oct. 22 for further hearing.

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