A dismissed Police Officer, Olalekan Ogunyemi, who fired the shot that killed Kolade Johnson appears in court today on a count charge.
Ogunyemi was arraigned before Justice Coker by the Department of Public Prosecution, DPP, on a count charge bordering on murder.
He however pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following his plea, the Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP, Mr Yhaqub Oshoala, requested that Ogunyemi who has been incarcerated at the Ikoyi Prison since his arrest continue to be remanded at the facility.
“We ask that the defendant continue to be detained in prison custody before the trial date. Our witnesses are available and we are ready to commence,”
Before adjourning the case, the presiding judge, Justice A. J Coker told the defence counsel, Mr. Ike Ezekwen, to ensure he explains to his client the option of a plea bargain agreement before trial commences.
“This case is adjourned to Jan. 15, 2020 for trial.
The defendant is further remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility.
The deceased was allegedly shot and killed by operatives of the Gbagada division of the Special Anti Cultism Squad (SACS) of the Lagos State Police Command while watching a football match on Sunday, March 31, this year.
Johnson who was 36 years old was reportedly accidentally shot by the police operatives while they were trying to arrest another man because of his dreadlocks in the Mangoro area of Lagos State.
Following the killing, the residents went on the rampage, blocking the Oshodi/Abeokuta Expressway in protest against the extra judocial killing and the sad incident fuels outcry for Police reform.
