A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has discharged and acquitted two dismissed policemen, Sergeant Segun Okun and Corporal Adekunle Oluwarotimi, who were accused of manslaughter.
Justice Modupe Nico-Clay discharged and acquitted the defendants after she found them not guilty of the offence.
The defendants were alleged to have negligently killed one Emeli Azuike by shooting him with a gun on January 11, 2018, at Ilusun Street, Mosafejo in the Amukoko area of Lagos.
They were also accused of causing grievous bodily harm to one Chima Gideon by shooting him in the buttocks.
However, the judge held that the prosecution was unable to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt that the defendants caused the death of the deceased.
The Lagos State Command had on January 13, 2018, dismissed the defendants alongside one other policeman, Sergeant Saturday Osaseri, after an orderly room trial convicted them of breaching the Nigeria Police’s rules of engagement.
“PW3’s evidence only proved that the bullet hit his buttock, he does not know who shot the gun.
“The court therefore found that the prosecution failed to prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt, the defendants are discharged and acquitted,” Justice Nico-Clay held.
The defendants were arraigned on two counts of manslaughter and causing grievous bodily harm, and they pleaded not guilty to the charge.