Truck driver, 41, docked over alleged manslaughter

A 41-year-old truck driver, Jimoh Lateef, on Friday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly causing the death of Mr Kayode Adepoju through reckless driving on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The defendant, who lives at No. 48, Ayetoro St., Ajegunle, Apapa, Lagos, is facing a three-count charge of reckless driving, damage to personal property and manslaughter.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

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The Prosecutor, ASP Benson Emuerhi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Feb. 18, at 4.00p.m. along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Emuerhi said that the defendant recklessly drove a MAN Diesel Truck with registration No. LSD 245 XW and rammed it into the deceased car.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant drove the truck on a public highway in a dangerous manner without care and attention to other road users.

“The defendant drove the truck in a dangerous manner causing damage to a Toyota Matrix car belonging to Adepoju, which led to his death,’’ Emuerhi said.

He said the offences contravene Sections 27, (28) (1) and 29 of the Road Traffic Law of Lagos State, 2012.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olufunke Sule-Amzat, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N250, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Sule-Amzat ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed, with evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

She adjourned the case until Oct. 17, for mention.