Driver arraigned over student’s death
From Agboola Fesobi, Owo
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A 40-year-old driver, Rotimi Adetula, who allegedly drove dangerously and killed a student, Wuraola Bade, has been arraigned before an Owo Magistrates’ Court for murder.
The accused was brought by the police on a count bordering on wreckless driving which led to the death of the girl, who was a year one student of Achievers University, Owo, in Ondo state.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Owolabi Edu, said Adetula drove dangerously and caused an accident on March 15, 2019 at about 6:30pm, near Achievers University, Idasen, Owo in the Owo Magisterial District, being the driver of one Mercedes Benz lorry with number plate LAGOS XK 667 AKD.
The accused, while driving on the highway was said to have caused the death of the student, Bade and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 18(1) of the RTL Cap 136, Volume 111, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
He was also alleged of causing serious injuries to one Ayomidotun Oladipupo, a student of Achievers University and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under 18(5) of the RTL and punishable under section 34 of the RTL Cap 136, Volume 111, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
Adetula was further accused of driving on the highway without a driver’s licence and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 7(1) of the RTL Cap136 Volume 111, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
Edu, who told the court that three of the five witnesses were present in court, applied for an adjournment to enable him study the case file.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Barrister Aderemi Adetula, who appeared for the accused did not oppose the prosecutor’s application for adjournment
But he prayed the court to admit his client to bail in most liberal terms, citing section 36(sub section 5) of the 1999 constitution as amended.
In her ruling, the magistrate, Miss Olajumoke Aladeniyi, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N1million with two sureties residing within the magisterial district.
She said the sureties must provide evidence of tax payment for the current year, while the other surety must be a civil servant of grade level 14 officer in the ministry.
The case was adjourned till April 18, 2019.
