Female Banker Docked

 A 35 years old female banker, Yinka Johnson, who was alleged to have killed an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, (LASMA), Mr. Hameed Balogun, while driving against the traffic in the Ajah area of the state was  arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court on tuesday, but contrary to lastma earlier claims Mrs. Johnson was arraigned on one-count of reckless driving against traffic and not manslaughter.

The defendant (Johnson) pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to her. By Police prosecutor, Insp. Agoi Oluwagbemileke, he said that the Mrs. Johnson was arrested on Aug 10 at 8.30 am at Mega Chicken area of Ikota in Lekki, Lagos for recklessly driving a range rover Jeep with registration number CY 276 LSD.The prosecutor, said that the defendant was caught driving on a one way traffic without reasonable consideration for other road users. Oluwagbemileke argued that the offence is punishable under Section 29 (1) of the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws of 2003.He added ``the accused refused to obey government officials who are trying to stop him from taking the road. But, defence counsel, led by Mr. Emeka Okpoko however urged the court to grant her bail arguing that traffic offence was a bailable offence.

In applying for bail, Okpoko urged the court to grant her bail in liberal terms since the gravity of the offence was not severe.He added that defendant being a banker will not abandon her job adding that she is a nursing mother.He further told the court that the defendant would always be available to attend to court proceedings .Okpoko said contrary to the newspaper publications, the charge before the court showed that the defendant was not the one that killed the LASMA official.

The trial magistrate, Mr. Jacob Adegun, granted her bail in the sum N50, 000 with one surety in like sum.

The case has been adjourned till September 5, 2012 for mention.Johnson, who is an employee of Stanbic IBTC, was arrested by a traffic official for contravening the law.

It was gathered that the LASMA official collected her car key and was about to cross-over to the other side of the road when he was crushed by a fast moving car.