Police arraign truck driver for manslaughter in Apapa

Four docked for stealing items worth N.7m at Apapa port

A 26-year-old truck driver, Abdullahi Akin-Ade was on Friday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court for allegedly causing the death of two persons and injuring one other.

Akin-Ade is facing a four-count charge bothering on manslaughter, driving without a driver’s licence and driving in a dangerous manner.

The prosecutor, Inspector Benedict Aigbokhan told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 28, 2018 at about 7:50am along Creek Road, Apapa.

Aigbokhan said, “The defendant being the driver in charge of an IvecoTruck with registration number LND 245 XW drove same vehicle on the public highway in a dangerous and reckless manner and caused the death of one Mrs Lydia Uzoma Nwanchukwu and Anosike Nguwuoma. He also caused injury to one Yakubu Hyela.”

The prosecutor added that the defendant caused damage to a Bajaj motorcycle unregistered valued N150,000 property of Anosike Nguwuoma and a Robison motorcycle with registration number AAA 480 QE valued N350,000 property of Nascon Plc.

Aigbokhan also said the defendant drove without driver’s licence.

According to him, the offences are punishable under sections 20, 19, 18 and 17 Vol.45 Lagos State Traffic Law 2012.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.

In her ruling, Magistrate Joy Ugbomoiko rejected the plea of the defendant and denied him bail conditions pending the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) advice.

She adjourned the case till July 2, 2018 for mention.

In a separate case, a 50-year-old female clearing agent, Iyabo Salisu was on Friday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court for allegedly collecting N685,500 from one businessman under false pretence.

Salisu is facing a three-count charge bothering on conspiracy, stealing and false pretence.

The prosecutor, Inspector Benedict Aigbokhan told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 26, 2018 at about 2pm at No 28, Ali Street, Agric Ojo, Lagos.

“The defendant conspired together with others with the intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N685,500 from one Sanusi Haruna to supply him condemned batteries, a presentation she knew to be false,” he said.

The defendant however pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.

The Magistrate, Joy Ugbomoiko granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The sureties, according to the Magistrate, must furnish the court with proof of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government. They must also present LASRRA card.

She adjourned the case till July 3, 2018 for mention.