Lagos – The Lagos State Ministry of Justice is to prosecute Oluwaseun Osibanjo, the driver of the BRT bus, that collided with a moving train in Lagos on March 9.
The Lagos state government said a prima facie case of manslaughter, and grievous bodily harm was established against the driver, who will face a 16-count charge.
The state government stated this in a statement released in Lagos on Friday, March 24.
The statement was signed by the ministry’s Director of press, Mrs Grace Alo
According to the statement, the horrific incident which involved Lagos State Government staff heading to work in the staff bus and passengers of the train resulted in six fatalities and left 96 others with varying degrees of injuries.
“Upon the receipt and review of the case file by the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP), a prima facie case of manslaughter and grievous bodily harm were disclosed against the driver of the Staff bus.
“Accordingly, he is to be charged with 6 counts of manslaughter and 10 counts of grievous bodily harm.
“Both offences are contrary to Sections 224 and 245 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015,” the statement read.
While noting that the Office of the DPP would immediately file charges against the driver, the statement added his arraignment before the Ikeja High Court would be delayed until he is fully fit to stand trial, having sustained serious injuries during the accident.
It would be recalled that a LASG staff bus collided with a train on March 9 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.(Daily Trust)