Truck driver in court for allegedly killing FRSC official

• The police charged the defendant with two counts of dangerous driving and manslaughter.
• The accused, who resides at No. 5, Samuel Otusile Street, Iba Ojo area of Lagos State, was said to have committed the offences on September 16, 2023

One Kingsley Opara has been arraigned for allegedly driving recklessly and killing a federal road safety corp (FRSC) official.

The 43-year-old truck driver was arraigned before an Ebute- Metta Chief Magistrate’s Court for manslaughter on Thursday.

The police charged the defendant with two counts of dangerous driving and manslaughter.

The accused, who resides at No. 5, Samuel Otusile Street, Iba Ojo area of Lagos State, was said to have committed the offences on September 16, 2023.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Olatunde Kehinde, told the court that the incident took place at about 1:20pm along Badagry Expressway, by Whitesand Field, Sari Iganmu, Lagos State.

Kehinde told the court that Opara, who was the driver in charge of one Mack Truck with number plate T-13537LA, drove the vehicle on the public highway dangerously to other road users.

The prosecutor said the defendant caused damage to a Toyota Dyna mini truck with Registration No AKD 108XY, driven by one Mukaila Aliyu.

Kehinde told the court that Opara on the same day drove the truck dangerously and caused the death of Deputy Corps Road Marshall Abiodun Ajomole aged 35.

He said the corps was attached to Road Safety Corp 2, point 116 Costain Unit Command Lagos State before his death.

According to the prosecutor the offences committed contravened Sections 51 (i) and 52 of the road traffic law and regulations of Lagos state 2018.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

Consequently, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Folashade Kayode, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1m, with two responsible sureties in like some.

She said that one of the sureties must be a civil service on Grade Level 16 and the second a community leader.

The case was adjourned till October 28, 2023, for mention