By Joy Akinsanya
Abeokuta, – A 32-year-old man, Abiodun Mustapha, was on Friday arraigned in an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court, for alleged dangerous driving and causing death of three persons.
Mustapha, who resides at Bambi Estate, Gudugba, Ifo Area of Ogun, is facing a three-count charge of dangerous driving, causing the death of three persons, and inflicting collateral damage on a taxi cab.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Jan. 6, at about 6:40 a.m., along Lagos/Abeokuta Express Road, Ile-Ise Paanu Area of Abeokuta.
Olu-Balogun said the defendant, using one Corolla saloon car, with Lagos Registration number, LND 618 FD, drove recklessly and dangerously on the highway.
“His action caused the untimely death of three persons, and seriously injured two others,” he said.
According to him, the defendant drove on top speed on the highway and hit one Nissan Micra taxi cab with Ogun registration number AKM 590 YQ, from the the rear.
The prosecutor listed the victims as; Mrs Temitope Saliu, 59, Hannah Saliu, 20, and Isah Saliu, 2 years old.
Mustapha was also alleged to have caused serious injury to Mr Rasaq Olasinde, the taxi driver, and a pregnant woman, Mrs Oluwafikemi Joseph.
He said all the victims were rushed to the Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta, where the the deceased persons were confirmed dead.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor noted that the offences contravened sections 13, 5, and 7, of the Federal Highway Act Cap F13, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The Magistrate, Mrs I .O Abudu, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N500,000 with one surety in like sum.
Abudu, added that the surety must be bonded and registered with the Ogun State Judiciary.
She then adjourned the case until Feb. 9, for commencement of trial. (NAN)
