A 24-year-old tanker driver, Seun Oderinde, who allegedly drove recklessly on a highway and damaged two cars in an accident, was on Wednesday brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
Oderinde, whose address was given as No. 23, Aromire St., Ijora area of Lagos, is facing a count charge of reckless driving, to which he pleaded not guilty.
The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Modupe Olaluwoye told the court that the defendant drove a Mack tanker with Registration No EKY 913 XL in a reckless manner on April 6, 2019, along Ikorodu road in Lagos.
According to her, Oderinde had driven the tanker belonging to a transport company, STA Integrated Service, which was loaded with 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
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Olaluwoye alleged that Oderinde had driven recklessly and hit a Toyota Yaris car and a Honda Accord car from behind while trying to avoid Customs officials that were on the highway.
She said that the two complainants, Mr Olukayode Ajose and Mr Kola Bello, got away with minor injuries but their cars were seriously damaged.
“My Lord, the defendant was trying to avoid the Customs officials because of the PMS he was transporting.
“He was driving on high speed and when the Toyota car in front of him slowed down, he rammed into it and it rammed into the Honda car,” she said.
The offence contravenes Section 19 (1) of the Road Traffic Law of Lagos, 2012.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 19 (1) stipulates two-year imprisonment for reckless driving.
In her ruling, Chief Magistrate, Oluwatoyin Oghere, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Oghere said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The case was adjourned until Aug. 21 for mention.
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