Joy Anyim
A Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, on Tuesday remanded a truck driver, Sodiq Okanlanwan, alongside a truck owner, Wasiu Lekan, for killing three persons around Oshodi/Apapa Expressway.
Justice Mobolanle Okikiolu-Igihile made the order following Okanlanwan and Lekan’s arraignment for alleged involuntary manslaughter.
The Lagos State Government had filed a three count charge against the duo.
The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on July 26.
He said, “Okanlanwan had, on July 26, at about 4:00p.m., on Oshodi Expressway, in Ilasamaja, ran over the victims, with his vehicle.
“The Defendant unlawfully killed one Nnaekpe Chima Victor, Chidinma Ajoku and Daniel Okwuoge, by running over them with his truck.”
According to the Prosecution, the offence is contrary to Section 224 and punishable under Section 229, of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
The Defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following the plea, the AG prayed the court to remand the duo in police custody pending when they test negative to Covid-19, before they can be remanded at the appropriate Correctional facilities.
Onigbanjo also asked for a short adjournment to commence the trial, but the defendants’ counsel Mr. Emmanuel Okedi, who held the brief of M. A. Osagbede, objected to the short adjournment, adding that he needed to study the information as he was just served few minutes before the arraignment.
Consequently Justice Okikiolu-Ighile, adjourned till August 20 and 26, for trial.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Hakeem Odumosu, had paraded the suspects at the command headquarters.
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Odumosu had said, “On July 26, at about 6p.m., two trucks carrying containers were coming from Oshodi/Apapa express way inward Mile two on high speed; and on getting to llasamaja Bus Stop, one of the trucks lost control and fell on a commercial bus.
“Two persons died on the spot while three others sustained various degree of injuries. The casualties were rushed to General Hospital lsolo for treatment while the corpses were deposited at Yaba mortuary for post mortem examination.
“One of the victims died while on admission and the remaining two are still receiving treatments.”
The police boss said the truck driver, who fled the scene of the accident, was arrested by a team of detectives from Ilasamanja Division on August 8
He said the truck owner was equally arrested for operating an unlashed container, he warned truck drivers saying, “Let me again warn operators of containers to comply with safety rules especially lashing their containers or face the full weight of the law. ”
