A coroner with the Yaba Magistrate’s court, Lagos State, Mrs. M.A Matepo, has recommended that the family of late police corporal, Patrick Omojiade, be compensated after the deceased was killed in a gun battle with suspected armed robbers.
She also urged that policemen in the country be armed with bullet proof to help in combating crimes.
Matepo, who gave the verdict on Friday in Lagos, read the testimonies of the six witnesses who testified before the court.
A witness, Corporal Abiodun Oyetade, had told the court that he was with the late Omojiade and two other police officers on May 2, 2012.
He had said,“We received a distress call in the evening of that day, and were deployed to Makoko Roundabout because there was a fight between the area boys in that place. We got there at 8pm.
“When we approached the area boys, I cautioned them and we were about to cross to the other side of the culvert when we saw a Marwa (tricycle) dropping passengers.
“Then I observed one grey-coloured Sienna bus behind the Marwa and immediately the Marwa moved, the Sienna also moved with speed.”
He said soon afterwards, he heard gunshots from his direction.
“I fell from the culvert and sustained injury on my left thigh. I managed to get up, then I saw people running. When I crossed to the other side of the road, I met Patrick lying down in a pool of blood.”
He said Patrick was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where he was confirmed dead.
Vanghan Babajide, another police officer who was not hurt in the attack, said he saw the deceased fall after he was hit by a bullet.
“I cocked my rifle and fired 10 bullets towards the Sienna, but it had gone far,” Babajide said.
The Pathologist who gave evidence however said the autopsy carried out on the body of the deceased revealed that he died from laceration on his skull, and there was no sign of any gunshot.
Matepo, in her verdict said, “It is quite unfortunate that the life of this young man was snuffed out of him. He could have lived a prosperous life if the security of this country were very high and policemen on official duties are well equipped with bulletproof vest and other security gadget.
“It is therefore the recommendation of this coroner that because Corporal Patrick Omojiade died in active service, his family should be compensated, and his name immortalized as one of those who sacrificed their lives for our great country.” [Punch]
