43-Year-Old Man Arraigned For Reckless Driving In Osun
A man named Femi Ajayi was charged on Thursday in an Osogbo magistrate court with driving recklessly and causing the deaths of four people and the injuries of three others.
The 43-year-old, who entered a not guilty plea, is being prosecuted on nine counts that include driving dangerously, driving without a valid license, driving without insurance, and failing to maintain a roadworthy vehicle.
Inspector Akintunde Jacob, the police prosecutor, testified in court that the defendant committed the crime on May 14 at around 9:30 am in the Apoti-area on the Ile-Oluji route in Ipetu-Ijesa, Osun.
Jacob said the defendant drove his Howo Sino truck with plate number AKD 380 YE, in a dangerous manner that led to the death of four persons.
“The deceased are Kayode Oladunjoke, Abudu Mariam, Ikuelogbon Tomiwa and Titilayo Adedapo.
“The accident also led to three other persons sustaining severe injuries and are all on admission in an undisclosed hospital,” he said.
The prosecutor said the accident damaged one parked lexus jeep owned by one Agboola Opeyemi.
Jacob said the offence contravened sections 35, 142, 139, 7, 21 (b), 18, 27 of the Road Traffic Act, Vol. 6 Cap 146 and 147 Laws of Osun State, 2002 and section 18 (1) of the Criminal Code vol. VI , Cap 115 Laws of Osun State, 2002.
The defence counsel, K. Adepoju, prayed the court to grant his client bail in the most liberal terms.
The Magistrate, A. Odeleye, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 and two surety each in the like sum.
“The sureties must reside within the court jurisdiction and must present evidence of tax payments and passport sized photographs, attached with an affidavit of means with address of the defendant verified by the police,” Magistrate Odeyemi added.
The case was adjourned to July 3 for hearing.