The Lagos State government has arraigned Happiness Elebiju, owner of the boat involved in an accident along the Ilashe waterfront in July this year, before the State High Court, in Ikeja.
Elebiju was arraigned on a ten count charges in the court of Justice Josephine Oyefeso.
The state government blamed the accident, which led to the drowning of twelve passengers on overcrowding and illegal activities of boat operators.
Director of Public Prosecution, Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi, while arraigning the defendant, said that he was been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
However, Mr. Elebiju pleaded not guilty to all the ten count charges.
Following his plea, Mrs Adeyemi urged the court to remand the defendant in prison custody, noting that the state was ready to open trial.
She informed the court that their were two witnesses in court ready to testify against the defendant.
In a counter reaction, the defence counsel urged the court to grant him time to prepare for trial, arguing that he was just served the notice in the court.
After entertaining the submissions of the two counsels, Justice Oyefeso adjourned till Thursday this week, for commencement of trial and ordered the defendant to be remanded in prison custody.
