Truck driver docked for manslaughter

arrested man with handcuff

A 39-year old truck driver, Ramak Seling, was on Friday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court for allegedly causing the death of a female pedestrian in Apapa.

Seling, a resident of No 16, Ogudu Ojota Street, Lagos, is facing a lone count charge bordering on traffic offences and manslaughter.

The prosecutor, Inspector Benedict Aigbokhan, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on September 4, 2018 at about 5:30pm along Oshodi/Apapa Expressway by Otto Wharf.

“The defendant being the driver in charge of a Mercedes Benz Truck with registration number Lagos GGE 961 XL drove same vehicle on the public highway in a manner which was reckless and dangerous and caused the death of one middle-aged female pedestrian whose name and address yet unknown,” Aigbokhan said.

According to him, the offences are punishable under section 20 of the Road Traffic Act, Law of Lagos State 2012.

Upon the non-guilty plea of the defendant, Magistrate Joy Ugbomoiko, granted him bail in the sum of N200,000 with two responsible sureties in like sum.

According to the Magistrate, the sureties must be resident of Lagos State and also furnish the court with proof of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

Meanwhile, she banned the release of the vehicle until the court orders it and adjourned the case till October 10, 2018 for mention while the file has been transferred to Director of Public Prosecutions for advice.