A Grade A Customary Court at Mapo in Ibadan, Oyo State, has sentenced one Abdulsamad Bakare to one and a half years in prison for reckless driving and disregard for traffic laws.

 Delivering judgment, the court’s President, S.M. Akintayo, said that she convicted and sentenced Bakare based on the evidence available to her and the plea of guilt he entered.

Akintayo said, “Therefore, Bakare is sentenced to six months in prison on each of counts one, two and three or one month community service for each of the jail terms. He is, however; discharged of count four because the prosecution could not provide substantial evidence and the count is struck out. The imprisonment or community service shall run concurrently. The Toyota Corolla Spot car with registration number GG623HS shall be in the safe custody of the Nigeria Police; Mapo Station pending the time the convict is able to complete his imprisonment or community service. Also, the 50 loaves of bread found in the vehicle shall be released to the defendant forth with.’’

The convict had shortly before the judgment pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy being a first-time offender and had committed no previous crime.

 Earlier, the prosecution, Sgt. Ayodele Ayeni told the court that the convict was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on reckless driving, driving without licence, knocking down a commuter and none possession of identification number.

Mr Ayeni further stated that the convict committed the crime on June 24, at Bere-Ojaba area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

 According to him, Bakare was apprehended after driving recklessly without licence, knocked down one Tomiwa Odewusi and ran away.

Mr Ayeni said that the offences contravened sections 18 (132 7 (1) and (148) of the Road Traffic Laws of Oyo State 2000.

(NAN)