Lagos Tricycle Operator Jailed 10 Years for Killing Colleague in Queue Dispute

A Lagos High Court has sentenced 42-year-old tricycle operator Godswill Akpan to 10 years in prison for the death of fellow operator Baba Ali Bukar, 30, following a violent dispute over passenger queues.

Justice Yetunde Adesanya delivered the verdict on Tuesday at Tafawa Balewa Square, convicting Akpan of involuntary manslaughter after ruling that the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that his actions led to Bukar’s death.

The incident occurred on June 1, 2019, near the Eko Hotel Roundabout in Victoria Island, Lagos. According to court records, the argument began when Bukar accused Akpan of breaching the tricycle queue system by picking up a lone passenger who paid N700 to Obalende. The disagreement escalated into a physical fight, during which Akpan struck Bukar in the chest with a stone. Bukar collapsed and later died in hospital.

Akpan, who pleaded not guilty, testified that he acted in self-defense after Bukar allegedly attempted to strike him with a stone. However, Justice Adesanya highlighted inconsistencies in Akpan’s statements and said the circumstantial evidence left no doubt about his responsibility.

“No autopsy was conducted due to the family’s religious objections,” the Investigative Police Officer testified, but the evidence presented, including eyewitness accounts and Akpan’s own testimony, was deemed sufficient for conviction.

During sentencing, the defence asked for leniency, noting Akpan’s remorse, first-time offender status, and role as the primary family provider. Justice Adesanya, while acknowledging these factors, imposed a 10-year custodial sentence in line with the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.