Culled from Punch

Driver killed by LASTMAmen planned New Year party

A commercial driver, Mr. Isaac Popoola, who was allegedly beaten to death on Monday by two officials of the Lagos State Transportation Management Authority, had before his brutal killing, started preparing for the Yuletide celebration.

The deceased’s son, Ibukunoluwa, told our correspondent, at the family residence in Akowonjo, Egbeda area of the state on Tuesday that his father had fixed January 2, 2013 for the celebration.

Ibukunoluwa, a graduate of Accounting from the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, said the family had a long tradition of celebrating the Yuletide on January 1 every year.

He said, “For a long time, we don’t celebrate Christmas, we usually celebrate the Yuletide on January 1. But the celebration was changed to January 2 because he said he wanted to work on January 1.

“The preparation for the celebration had started since last month. Just on Saturday, he still called his tailor to ask if he had made his clothes, which he had given to him last month.

“The goat you are seeing there (pointing to a goat tethered to a tree within the compound), was meant for the celebration. He had bought the goat since last month.

“Like he used to do every year, invitations had been sent to many of our relatives and family friends within Lagos and in our home town in Modakeke. Our house is usually alive during such celebration because many of our relatives were always around.”

Ibukunola said he was not opportuned to see his father on the day of his death “because he usually woke up not later than 4.30am and would not wake anybody up before he drove out of the compound.”

When our correspondent visited the residence of the deceased at 16, Ojo Ogundana Crescent, Off Jimoh Akinremi Street, Jimoh Bus Stop, Akowonjo in the Egbeda area of Lagos, the deceased’s widow, Modupe, was said to be asleep.

Ibukunoluwa, who said they moved into his father’s house in 1991, expressed fear that his father’s death was going to constitute a setback to his siblings’ education.

Ibukunoluwa said, “As the first child of the family, I’m the only lucky one to have finished my higher education of learning.

He said, “My dad was the breadwinner of the family. His death is going to affect the education of my siblings negatively. Government must do something to salvage our future.”

Apart from compensation that would cater for his siblings’ education, Ibukunoluwa also sought the prosecution of those who allegedly killed his father.

He said, “The LASTMA officials found to have been connected with my dad’s death must be prosecuted. Justice must be done.

“Up till now, the family does not know the identity and whereabouts of one of the LASTMA officials arrested in connection with my dad’s death.

“Even the IPO (the Investigating Police Officer) was unable to tell us his whereabouts yesterday (Monday).”

Popoola, 54, died after Adesanya Olatunde and Oludele Ogunrinde, both officials of LASTMA, repeatedly hit his head against the steering and the door frame of his bus in their attempt to forcibly take over the vehicle.

The incident happened around Brown Bus Stop in the Oshodi area of Lagos at about 6:30am on Monday.