Truck driver in court for manslaughter

Court sentences stowaway

A 34-year-old truck driver, Stephen Adebayo, was yesterday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrate’s Court sitting in Lagos for manslaughter.

The prosecutor, U.E Okoi, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on February 10 at about 12am along Ijora overhead bridge, Apapa.

Okoi said the defendant drove a Mack Truck with registration number AGL 260 XP and abandoned the said vehicle on the public highway without C-caution or warning and thereby caused an accident which resulted in the death of one Abidoye Wale Adedoyin, a 40-year-old driver of a Ford Jeep car with registration number EPE 758 CX.

Adebayo was also accused of driving the truck without vehicle license, roadworthiness certificate and insurance certificate.

The prosecutor said the offences are punishable under Law No 4 section 18 volume 45 and section 25 volume 25, Lagos State Traffic Law 2012.

Adebayo pleaded not guilty to the two-count charges against him.

Counsel to the accused, E.F Okoeguale prayed the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs O.O Oshin granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

One of the sureties must be his blood relation.

The case was adjourned till March 21 for mention.