3rd March, 2011
A commuter bus driver in charge of a Volkswagen bus with registration number XK 719 KRD, Chinedu Imeli, has been arraigned before a Cele Magistrate’s Court, Isolo, Lagos State for allegedly killing a pedestrian with his vehicle.
The accused was alleged to have driven the vehicle in a manner dangerous to the public and having no regard to other road users by knocking down and causing the death of Etim Udo Bassey, 48.
He was docked on a two-count charge of dangerous driving and murder, offences contrary to Section 29 (1) of the Road Traffic Act and punishable under Section 45, Cap.124, Vol. 4, Laws of Lagos State.
Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Chinedu Imeli of Ebenezer Street, Itire, Lagos on 22 December, 2010 along Odo Eran Road, Itire, Lagos Magisterial District, being the driver in charge of one Volkswagen bus with registration number XK 719 KRD drove same on the public highway in a manner dangerous to the public and without regard to other road users and knocked down and caused the death of one Etim Udo Bassey, ‘m’ aged, 48 of 32, Adigun Street, Itire, Lagos and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 29 (1) of the Road Traffic Act and punishable under Section 45, Cap.124, Vol. 6, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and the presiding magistrate granted him bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The case has been adjourned till 24 March, 2011 for trial.
—Henrietta Ikhile
