By Bamidele Kolawole

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An Akure Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Oke-Eda, has ordered the remand of a 47-year-old driver, Tope Oluwole, for causing the death of a 35-year-old man, Tunde Afolabi.

The defendant allegedly committed the offence on July 2, 2024, at about 8:20 pm, opposite Titolu Filling Station, Ado Road in Akure.

The suspect was arraigned on four counts of reckless driving, driving a bus without a driver’s license, causing the death of the deceased and driving a bus on the public highway in a manner dangerous to the public.

The prosecutor, Inspector Nelson Akintimehin, told the court that the defendant, drove an AA Motor Hiace bus with number plate EKY 805 YJ recklessly and caused the death of one Tunde Afolabi, aged 35, at Rubies Osisi Quarters, Oke-Ijebu, Akure.

The offence is contrary to and punishable under Sections 136, 18(5) of the Road Traffic Act Cap. 136 Vol. 3 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.

The defendant’s plea was taken on counts one, two, and four, and he pleaded not guilty to the offenses leveled against him. However, on count three, his plea was not taken.

Akintimehin urged the court to remand him on count three to enable him forward the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), for advice, saying the court does not have jurisdiction to try the case.

The defence counsel, Femi Adetoye, prayed the court to grant his client bail in the most liberal terms, promising that the defendant would provide credible and reliable sureties.

In his ruling, Magistrate Kolawole Aro ordered the remand of the defendant in Segede Correctional Centre in Ondo, pending ruling on the bail application.

The case was adjourned until September 12, 2024, for a ruling on bail conditions.