BRT Accident: Court Remands Dangote Cement Truck Driver In Prison

November 9, 2019

Justice Sherifat Solebo of the Lagos State State High Court in Ikeja yesterday remanded the Dangote cement truck driver, who was involved in the road accident that claimed 4 lives, in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services.

Justice Solebo ordered that the driver, Sherif Adebayo, be kept behind bars pending the hearing and determination of his bail application, after he was arraigned before her by the state government.

He was docked before the court by the the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Justice on a one count charge of on four count charge of involuntary man slaughter contrary to section 224 of the Criminal Law of Lagos 2015.

One of the charge reads, “that you, Sherif Adebayo (male) on the 27th of August, 2019 at about 9.30hrs around Majidun along Ikorodu Road did unlawfully kill one Samuel Apochi and 3 others.

The defendant was accused of driving his truck dangerously and recklessly, thereby hitting the deceased inside BRT with registration number LSR 228XS on the 27th August, 2019.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

After the arraignment, the prosecuting team, led by the Lagos State Director, Public Prosecutions, Yaqub Oshoala urged the judge to fixed a trial date.

But the defence lawyer, informed the court that he had filed a bail application on behalf of his client.

Although he demanded that the court hear the application on Friday, the prosecutor asked for time to file his opposition to the, application because he was just served with a copy of the bail application.

Following the development, Justice Solebo adjourned the matter to November 26.

It will be recalled that a fully loaded Dangote cement truck owned by Dangote Cement Company reportedly skidded off the main carriageway to collide with a BRT bus on a dedicated lane.

The accident which occurred at Majidun Ikorodu road left 4 people dead and fifty eight others sustained different degree of injuries.