‘How LASTMA officials caused my friend’s death’

By Abdulwahab Abdulah &  Jane Echewodo

A coroner’s inquest into the death of one Ikechukwu Abasirim was, yesterday, told how the deceased was crushed by a vehicle being pursued by the Lagos State Transport Management Authority, LASTMA, officials on Apapa-Osodi expressway.

File Photo

The coroner’s court, presided over by Magistrate M. K.O. Fadeyi of an Ogba Magistrates’ Court, was informed that the deceased who accompanied his friend, one Demian Eke to repair his faulty vehicle by the road side, was crushed by a fleeing commercial bus driver pursued by LASTMA officials.

Leading proceedings before the court, a lawyer to the deceased, Kennedy Osunwa, explained that on October 27, 2014, Abasirim, a conductor, was working with his friend, along Cele-Mile 2 Expressroad when their vehicle developed a fault, prompting the driver to park at Rainbow Bus Stop.

According to the lawyer, “a combined team of police and LASTMA officials was pursuing a commercial bus from Mile 2 to Rainbow.

“At that point, the deceased alighted from his vehicle and the commercial bus being pursued by the officials crushed him dead.

“His friend, Demian, rushed him to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead.”

Demian Eke also testified before the court.

The coroner had issued witness summons to LASTMA’s head office and State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos State, to give evidence on what led to the killing of late Abasirim.

The court decided to adjourn further hearing in the case till January 28.