Police arraign commercial driver over alleged manslaughter

Abimbola Abatta

A 36-year-old commercial driver, Endurance Omoh, was arraigned on Monday before an Ojo Magistrates’ Court, in Lagos, over alleged reckless driving and manslaughter.

Omoh is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on reckless driving and manslaughter.

The prosecutor, Dr Simeon Uche, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on January 19.

He said that the defendant being the driver of a mini shuttle bus with registration number JJJ568YA, had driven same in a dangerous manner, leading to the death of one Nasiru Haruna.

According to the charge, the victim is a commercial motorcyclist popularly known as “Okada.”

Uche alleged that the defendant had no regard to the circumstances and condition of the road and traffic, as was reasonably expected of him at the time of the incident.

The offences contravene the provisions of sections 19 (1) and 20 of the Lagos State Road Traffic Law 2012.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him.

The Magistrate, Mr Ademola Adesanya, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum, while the case file is being sent for legal advice.

He adjourned the case until April 1, for mention.