Ode-Omu accident: 2 drivers docked over alleged manslaughter

By Joshua Oladipo

The Police Command in Osun, on Wednesday, arraigned two drivers before an Osogbo Magistrates ‘ Court for alleged manslaughter.

The drivers, Jimoh Jelili and Ezekiel Adebayo, were said to have driven their vehicles with number plates: LSR 304 HW (Lexus SUV) and APP 834 XT (Mazda) in a dangerous manner, leading to the death of the passengers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 16 people were burnt to death when a commercial bus coming from Osogbo had a collision with a private vehicle at Ode-Omu, Osun, on April 28.

The Police Prosecutor, Insp Jacob Akintunde, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on April 28 at about 6:15 p.m. around Ode-Omu market in Osun.

Akintunde said that the defendants drove their vehicles in a dangerous manner on the highway without obeying road safety regulations, causing injuries to some victims who survived the accident and were still on hospital admission.

The offences, according to him, contravene Section 27 of the Road Traffic Act, Cap 548, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and Section 18, Cap 146, Vol.  2, Laws of Osun, 2002 .

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge of dangerous driving and manslaughter.

Counsels to the defendants, Messrs Tajudeen Idowu and I. Nwoke, prayed the court to grant their clients bail in the most liberal terms.

The Magistrate, Mr O. Ayilara, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with one surety each in like sum.

Ayilara said that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, with evidence of tax payment and passport-sized photographs, attached with affidavits of means.

He said that their residential addresses must also be verified by the police.

The magistrate, thereafter, adjourned the case till July 6 for mention.

(NAN)