A commercial bus conductor, Azeez Balogun, 18, is facing prosecution after he allegedly knocked off a passenger’s teeth during a fight over N100 change.
The fight took place on 24th June, 2023. The passenger, Shina Olanrewaju, boarded the bus at Ile-Epo Bus Stop, on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Lagos, going to Abule Egba. A disagreement later occurred between him and the bus conductor over collection of change.
The Police stated that the victim after boarding the bus asked for his change, which the conductor, Balogun, refused to give him.
The disagreement led to fisticuff between the duo and in the process, Balogun knocked off two of Olarewaju’s teeth as a result of which he bled profusely.
The conductor was held and handed over to the Police in the area, where he was detained for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
He was found culpable after interrogation and subsequently charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged assault.
The prosecutor, Supol Raji Akeem, told the Court that the offence contravened Section 173 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, according to PM Express.
The prosecutor stated that during the argument, the defendant dragged the complainant down, beat him up, removed two of his teeth with punches and he tore the complainant’s clothes in the process.
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The Presiding Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Bola Osunsanmi, granted the defendant bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The Court adjourned the matter till 8th August, 2023, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.
The complainant was said to have regretted the ugly incident because he will have to live the rest of his life without the two teeth.
