Driver in court over alleged manslaughter
NAN-H-49
Death
By Moronke Boboye
Lagos, Aug. 23, 2017(NAN) A 36-year -old commercial vehicle driver, Olayemi Oluata, was on Wednesday arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court over alleged reckless driving and manslaughter.
The defendant who resides at 48, Oke Ijebu St., Owo, Ondo State, is facing an 11- count charge bordering on manslaughter and driving in a dangerous manner.
The prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu, told the court that the offences were committed on July 8 along Ikorodu Road, Ojota, a suburb of Lagos.
Ogu alleged that the accused who is articulated vehicle driver carrying a 20-feet container, drove in a reckless and dangerous way and killed five people.
“The container fell on a commercial bus convening seven passengers who were coming from a church.
“Five passengers died immediately and two other were seriously injured, the accused thereafter, took to his heels.
“Since then, the police have been looking for the accused.
“It was when the police threatened to arrest the owner of the trailer that the accused was handed over to the police,’’ he said.
The offences contravened Sections 3, 7, 28 and 29 of the Road Traffic Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni, granted the accused N500, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
Akanni adjourned the case until Sept. 13 for mention. (NAN)
MTO/DEB/OU
============