The police on Wednesday arraigned a 45-year-old truck driver, Nzekwe Obinna, before an Apapa Magistrate’s Court for allegedly causing the death of a member of the public along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.
Obinna is facing a two-count charge of reckless driving and manslaughter. If convicted for manslaughter, Obinna could be liable to life imprisonment.
The prosecutor, Inspector Marvellous Obongha, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on November 19, 2019 at about 4am at MTN Junction along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos.
“The defendant being the driver in charge of one Mack truck with registration number AKD 180 XP drove same on the public motorway in a manner which was reckless and dangerous to the public; having no regard to all the circumstance of the case including the nature, condition and use of highway code and caused the death of one Shagari Ibrahim of Joshua Garage Kirikiri Town,” Obongha said.
According to him, the offences are punishable under sections 19 and 20 of the Road Traffic Act of Lagos State 201.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Magistrate K.A Ariyo granted him N1 million bail with two sureties in like sum.
She ordered the case file be transferred to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice.
She adjourned the matter till January 7, 2020 for mention