Abeokuta – A 31-year-old man, Mustapha Waidi, on Monday appeared in an Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Isabo for allegedly driving recklessly and causing the death of one Suliamon Kehinde.
Mustapha, of no fixed address, is facing a two-count charge of driving recklessly and dangerously on the highway and causing untimely death of one person.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Eigbejiale, had told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Sept. 6 at about 12:00 p.m. on Iyana Mortuary/Leme Expressway in Abeokuta.
Eigbejiale said the defendant, a driver of Leyland Tipper KTU 75 XE, drove on the highway in a reckless and dangerous manner, which caused the death of the deceased and injured two others.
He said that the truck driver drove dangerously and collided with a Bajaj Motorcycle JBD 069 QN carrying two passengers, including the driver.
“The truck driver was on a very high speed which he could not control and hit the motorcycle, which led to the death of the rider Suliamon kehinde, 31, inflicted serious injury on one Ajani Toheeb18, and Subaru Demola, 27.
“At the time of his arrest, it was found that he drove the vehicle on the public highway without having a valid driver’s licence,’’ he said.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened Sections 5, 6(1) and 10 of the Federal Highway Act Cap F13 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Adeola Adelaja, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She added that the sureties must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and must show evidence of tax payment.
Adelaja adjourned the case till Nov. 26 for trial.