A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has ordered the further remanded of one Ketu Asikpata in the correctional centre over the alleged involuntary manslaughter of nine persons.
Asikpata was arraigned before Justice Oyindamola Ogala on a nine-count charge of involuntary manslaughter.
The State Prosecution Counsel, Mr Ola Azeez, told the court that Asikpata had allegedly committed the offences on Jan. 29, 2023, on the Ojuelegba Bridge, inward Fadeyi of Lagos.
He said that the defendant, on the said date, drove a Mack Truck with Reg. No. KJA 380 XD, carrying a container.
According to him, the driver drove the truck with gross negligence and reckless disregard for other road users, leading to the container falling on a Suzuki mini bus with Reg. No. KTU 921 YD.
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The prosecutor told the court that the scenario caused the death of nine people; Felix Ifeanyi; Blessing Okwuma; Basirat King; Emeka Okoli; Ifeyinwa Okoli; Chidiebube Okoli; Ifechukwu Okoli, Abdulrahman Wahab and Kamorudeen Garara.
According to him, the offence contravenes Section 224 of the Criminal Law, Cap. C. 17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Azeez prayed for a trial date given the defendant’s plea.
The judge, therefore, ordered the further remand of the defendant to a correctional centre.
The judge, however, adjourned the matter till Feb. 12 for trial.
