Scene of the accident
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Lagos State Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) has advised the state government to charge Oluwaseun Osibanjo, the driver of a bus involved in a collision with a train, with six counts of Manslaughter and ten counts of Grievous Body Harm.
Recall that the bus-train accident killed six people on March 9, 2023.
The accident also injured nearly 100 passengers who were admitted at various state health facilities.
The police subsequently arrested the bus driver who was accused of neglecting warning signs moments before the accident.
From police custody, Osibanjo blamed the accident on a mechanical failure, but the state, which had promised justice for victims and their families, is prosecuting the driver for the deaths and injuries.
In a statement late Friday, the Lagos Ministry of Justice disclosed that the DPP established a prima facie case of Manslaughter and Grievous Body Harm against the bus driver.
Scene of the accident
According to the ministry, both offences are contrary to Sections 224 and 245 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The statement added that the DPP will immediately file charges against Osibanjo.
“It would be recalled that on the morning of the 9th of March, 2023, a LASG staff bus collided with a train at the PWD railway crossing at Ikeja and the train dragged the bus with its passengers along the tracks until it came to a stop at Sogunle, a suburb of Ikeja, Lagos State,” it reads.
“The horrific incident which involved LASG staff heading to work in the staff bus and passengers of the train resulted in six fatalities with about 96 others with various degrees of injuries. The injured victims were hospitalised across many Government Hospitals in the State.
“The driver of the staff bus on the fateful day (Mr. Oluwaseun Osibanjo) was apprehended and handed over to the Police for investigation and possible prosecution by the State. At the end of investigations, the case file was forwarded to the D.P.P. for further statutory actions.
“Upon the receipt and review of the case file by the D.P.P, a prima facie case of Manslaughter, and Grievous Body Harm was disclosed against the driver of the Staff bus. Accordingly, he is to be charged with six counts of Manslaughter and 10 counts of Grievous Body Harm. Both offences are contrary to Sections 224 and 245 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
“The Office of the D.P.P. will immediately file charges against the Driver. However, his arraignment before the High Court of Lagos State shall be delayed until he is fully fit to stand trial, having sustained serious injuries during the accident.”
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