By Sade Adewale
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A 31-year-old man, Abibu Aliu, has appeared  before an Ondo Magistrates’ court for allegedly driving recklessly on the public highway, which led to the injury of two people, now receiving treatment at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

The prosecution said the defendant allegedly drove a DAF truck with plate number Lagos KRD-895-XU, on the public highway in a dangerous manner in October 14, 2018.

He was said to have collided with a motorcycle and caused damage to the Haojue Suzuki motorcycle with plate number Ondo NND-457-UJ, while the motorcyclist, Mr Victor Moses and one passenger from Igba village in Ondo, sustained injuries.

He was alleged to have committed the offence in October 14, 2018, at about 4:30pm, along Catholic junction Ondo/Ore road, Ondo in the Ondo magisterial district.

The offence contravened Section 18 R. T. A cap 111 Vol. 6 laws of Ondo state of Nigeria 2006.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge brought against him.

The police prosecutor, Sergeant  Gbenga Akinsulure, informed the court that two of the witnesses he would be calling are staff of the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

He therefore applied for a date to amend the charge and present his witnesses.

Counsel to the defendant, Mr Ekpoemi Bekewe, who did not object the prosecutor’s application, applied for the bail of his client in most liberal terms.

Also, counsel to the complainant, Mr. Samuel Folorunsho, did not oppose the application.

But he drew the attention of the court to the fact that the two victims were in comma, saying one of them would undergo brain surgery, while the second victim is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), of the hospital.

He, however, said there was no move for settlement, as claimed by the defendant’s counsel.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Odenusi Fadeyi, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500,000.00 with two sureties in like sum.

She said that the sureties should be resident within the jurisdiction, while the court’s orderly should confirm it and report back to the court.

She ordered them to produce evidence of payment of tax for the year 2017 and 2018 respectively, in addition to  a comprehensive medical report from the medical consultant in charge of the treatment of the victims.

She adjourned the case till December 17, 2018 for trial.