Crimes

Train accident: Court remands BRT driver for manslaughter

The Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, on Tuesday, May 2, remanded the driver of a BRT bus, Oluwaseun Osibanjo, for allegedly running into a moving train, causing grievous harm and involuntary manslaughter to the passengers.

Osibanjo was arraigned on a 16-count charge bordering on involuntary manslaughter and grievous harm.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecution, Dr. Babajide Martins, had prayed the court for a trial date as well as for the defendant to be remanded in a correctional facility.

Martins told the court that the defendant committed the offences on March 9 at about 7:00 a.m. on Shogunle Level Crossing, Ikeja.

He stated that the defendant ignored warning signals and ran into an oncoming train and negligently killed one Oreoluwa Aina, Tolulope Emmanuel, Olayinka Rokosu, Ganiyat Salaudeen, Lasisi Isah, and Victoria Dada.

READ ALSO: Train accident: We warned BRT driver but shouted at us ― Survivors

The prosecution also alleged that the defendant inflicted grievous harm on Bolanle Ogunbunmi, Ayomide Shobowale, Sarah Adeleye, Abiola Olarewaju, Esther Ekundayo, Samuel Fagbola, and Ismail Bakare.

Others, he said, were Ayuib Arowoye, Rilwan Abdulazeez, and Shiyanbola Murtala.

According to him, the alleged offences contravened the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015

The defence counsel, Lekan Egberongbe, however, prayed the court to remand the defendant in a police custody, due to his health reasons.

“The defendant was brought from the Federal Medical Centre Ebute-metta this morning my lord. I plead with the court while we await the trial date to allow him be remanded with the police.

The presiding judge, Justice Oyindamola Ogala, however, said the court did not have the medical report of the defendant.

“The court does not have the power to remand the defendant in police custody.

“If the custodial centre is served with the necessary medical report of the defendant, he should be given proper medical attention,” Justice Ogala said.

The judge ordered that Osibanjo be remanded at the appropriate custodial centre, pending the filing and hearing of his bail application.

Justice Ogala, therefore, adjourned the case until May 26, 2023, for the commencement of trial.

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

Tinubu writes NASS, seeks Oluyede’s confirmation as Chief of Army Staff

President Bola Tinubu has sent a letter to the Senate seeking the confirmation of Lieutenant…

6 hours ago

Court sends man to prison for impregnating 15-year-old daughter

A Magistrate Court sitting in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, has remanded a 48-year-old…

7 hours ago

Uba Sani: Kaduna made history with free fertilizer distribution

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani says the state made history by carrying out the largest…

7 hours ago

Varsity denies awarding professorship to sacked UNIZIK VC

The Federal University, Gusau in Zamfara State has denied awarding professorship to the sacked Vice-Chancellor…

10 hours ago

First winner in ‘Glo Festival of Joy’ gets new car

Technology company Globacom, on Thursday, November 21, 2024, delivered a brand new Toyota Prado car…

11 hours ago

Uba Sani donates N10m to military heroes

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has launched the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem with…

13 hours ago

This website uses cookies.