How I Killed Officer At Police Checkpoint – Businessman
Godson James, a 47-year-old businessman, has provided an explanation of how he accidentally knocked down a police officer at a checkpoint in Sobe, Ondo State, along the Akure-Benin expressway last Saturday.
The police claimed that Mr. James was attempting to evade arrest after allegedly defrauding a Point of Sale (POS) operator of N4.6 million.
According to the state police spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, Mr. James hit an Assistant Superintendent of Police, who was trying to stop his vehicle, causing the officer’s immediate death. After the incident, Mr. James attempted to flee but was pursued and apprehended at an Army checkpoint in Edo State. At the time of his arrest, he had N1.5 million in his possession.
However, during questioning at the state police headquarters in Akure, Mr. James refuted the allegation of defrauding the POS operator, claiming that the N1.5 million was actually the balance he owed her from a legitimate business deal they had.
He stated that he was trying to escape because the operator and her brother had threatened his life over the debt. When he approached the checkpoint, he thought they were criminals due to wood blocking the road and people bending down. As he was in fear for his life, he attempted to drive away at high speed and did not realize they were police officers until the incident occurred.
Mr. James denied trying to escape from the police and explained that he was scared because he had been falsely labeled as a kidnapper due to the dispute with the POS operator. He also denied any involvement in criminal activities and stated that he works as a contractor, trying to gather funds to pay his on-site workers.
The suspect, who complained of not feeling well, was allowed to see a doctor before his official parade.
The police spokesperson mentioned that the suspect would face charges in court following the completion of police investigations.
