BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
A 35-year-old truck driver, Akeem Agbaje, has been remanded at the Ilesa Correctional Centre by an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court for allegedly crushing a pedestrian to death and for damaging an electric pole.
Agbaje was alleged to have driven a MACK truck with registration number LAGOS APP 843 XA in a dangerous manner on the highway thereby causing the death of one Kazeem Azeez of Ile-Baale, Oke-Iba, Ikirun, Osun State.
Police prosecutor, Akintunde Jacob, disclosed that Agbaje of Dr Bello Street, Ikirun, committed the offence on July 6, 2021 at about 3:30pm at Ekoende junction, Ikirun.
After the defendant hit Azeez, he was said to have rammed into an electric pole belonging to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company valued at N350,000. The truck was also reported to have destroyed a telephone sets and accessories shop, damaging the wares.
The damaged item, belonging to one Miss Sherifat Idowu of Esaa’s Compound, Ororuwo in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, were valued at N378,300.
The prosecutor stressed that the driver drove on the public highway without having a driver’s licence, an issuance certificate, road worthiness, an hackney stage carriage and without the heavy duty permit.
The defendant was said to have committed offences contrary to and punishable under Sections 18, 18(1) Cap 146 and 115, Vol. II and 6, Laws of Osun State Nigeria, 2002.
The offences were also said to be in contravention of Sections 27, 142, 35(g) (sub 4), 149, and 139 of RTA and RTL, Cap 548 and 115, Vol 6, Laws of Nigeria.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the 10 counts levelled against him by the Police. His counsel, B. Y. Dada, applied for bail for his client in liberal terms.
Presiding Magistrate O. A. Daramola ordered the defence counsel to furnish the court with a formal bail application.
He remanded the accused person at the Ilesa Correctional Centre pending the September 1 adjourned date.
