By Sade Adewale, Ondo

A 49-year-old Health Officer, Shina Moses Akinrujomu, has been arraigned before the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo town, accused of causing the death of Fatai Bisimiyu through reckless driving on a public highway.

The police presented Akinrujomu before the court on Wednesday, alleging that he was driving a Toyota RAV4 with registration number MUS945HD at high speed, posing a danger to the public.

Akinrujomu is also accused of colliding with an unregistered Honda motorcycle, valued at N1,800,000, owned by the late Bisimiyu, leading to property damage.

The defendant now faces a three-count charge.

The alleged offences occurred on November 7, 2024, around 4 p.m., near the INEC Office on Ondo/Akure Road, Bolorunduro. The charges were brought under Sections 18, 18(1), and 18(5) of the Road Traffic Law, Cap 136, Volume 3, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

The charge sheet reads, in part, “That you, Shina Moses Akinrujomu, on the 7th day of November, 2024, at about 4 p.m. at INEC Office along Info/Akure Road, Bolorunduro, in the Ondo Magisterial District, being the driver in charge of a Toyota RAV4 car with Registration Number: MUS201HD, did drive same on the public highway recklessly at a high velocity in a manner which was dangerous to the public and hereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Road Traffic Law, Cap 136, Volume 3, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you, Shina Moses Akinrujomu, on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, being the driver in charge of the above-mentioned car, drove same on the public highway, hit and caused the death of one Fatai Bisimiyu, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Road Traffic Law, Cap 136, Volume 3, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you, Shina Moses Akinrujomu, on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, being the driver in charge of the above-mentioned car, drove same on the public highway, hit and caused damage to one unregistered Honda motorcycle valued at N1,800,000, property of Fatai Bisimiyu, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18(5) of the Road Traffic Law, Cap 136, Volume 3, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Police prosecutor Supol Benard Olagbayi informed the court of his intention to call four witnesses to testify and requested an adjournment to review the case file.

Defence counsel Mr Ajayi sought bail for the defendant on lenient terms.

Presiding Magistrate Mrs A.O. Omofolarin granted Akinrujomu bail in the sum of N1,000,000 with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be blood relatives residing within the jurisdiction and provide an affidavit of means, tax clearance, and two passport photographs each, all to be verified by the court orderly and clerk.

The case has been adjourned until December 12, 2024, for further hearing.