A suspected hit-and-run commercial bus driver, Wasiu Salawu, on Friday appeared in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, charged with causing the death of a motorcycle passenger, Mr Mustapha Ahmed.
Twenty-eight-year-old Salawu, who lives on Olumo Street in Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos State, is facing charges of reckless driving, manslaughter and driving without licence.
He, however, pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, ASP Benson Emuerhi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on July 9, at 12.30p.m. at Ajayi Farm, on the Agege Motor Road, Ikeja.
Emuerhi said that the defendant recklessly drove a Volkswagen LT bus with registration No. LND 376 XL and rammed onto a motorcycle transporting Ahmed, aged 40.
According to the prosecutor, the defendant drove the bus on a public highway in a dangerous manner without care and attention to other road users.
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He added that the defendant caused severe damage to a Daylong motorcycle with registration No. PPP 073 WH, property of Opay Transport Ltd.
Emuerhi said the case was reported at a police station by the motorcyclist, Mr Idah Sunday .
He alleged that Sunday sustained much injuries, while Ahmed died instantly.
“He refused to stop to render any assistance to the victims until he was chased by some other motorists and apprehended at the Cement Bus Stop,” Emuerhi said.
The alleged offences contravene Sections 18 (8), 20 and 28 of the Road Traffic Law of Lagos State, 2012.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olufunke Sule-Amzat, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Sule-Amzat ordered that the sureties must be blood relations of the defendant and gainfully employed.
She added that the sureties should show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government.
The magistrate adjourned the case until Oct. 21 for mention. (NAN)
