Emmanuel Thomas l Friday, March 24, 2023
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Lagos State Government said it has established a prima facie case of manslaughter, and grievous body harm against Mr. Oluwaseun Osibanjo, driver of the Lagos Staff bus that collided with a train at Cappa, along the Oshodi axis.
“Accordingly, he is to be charged with 6 counts of Manslaughter and 10 counts of Grievous Body Harm. Both offences are contrary to Sections 224 and 245 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015”, the Director of Public Affairs in the Ministry of Justice.
The ministry said office of the D.P.P will immediately file charges against the driver but that his arraignment before the High Court of Lagos State shall be delayed until he is fully fit to stand trial, having sustained serious injuries during the accident.
Recall that on the morning of the 9th of March, 2023, a LASG staff bus collided with a train at the PWD railway crossing at Ikeja and the train dragged the bus with its passengers along the tracks until it came to a stop at Sogunle, a suburb of Ikeja, Lagos State.
The horrific incident which involved LASG staff heading to work in the staff bus and passengers of the train resulted in 6 deaths with about 96 others with various degrees of injuries. The injured victims were hospitalized across many Government Hospitals in the State.
“The driver of the staff bus on the fateful day (Mr. Oluwaseun Osibanjo) was apprehended and handed over to the Police for investigation and possible prosecution by the State.
“At the end of investigation, the casefile was forwarded to the D.P.P for further statutory actions.
“Upon the receipt and review of the casefile by the D.P.P, a prima facie case of Manslaughter, and Grievous Body Harm were disclosed against the driver of the Staff bus. Accordingly, he is to be charged with 6 counts of Manslaughter and 10 counts of Grievous Body Harm. Both offences are contrary to Sections 224 and 245 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
“The Office of the D.P.P will immediately file charges against the Driver. However, his arraignment before the High Court of Lagos State shall be delayed until he is fully fit to stand trial, having sustained serious injuries during the accident”, the statement said.
