Friday, 8 August 2014

Police arraign motorist for manslaughter

A 34-year-old man, Matthew Hope, has appeared before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos State for allegedly killing one Ernest Okoran, 35.
The police said the defendant on July 14, 2014, recklessly drove a Peugeot Boxer bus with number plate, AGL 439 CJ, along the Lekki-Epe Expressway and killed Okoran in the process.
The police said the vehicle also rammed into a HITECH street light valued at N2.7m after the deceased was knocked down. They added that Okoran, who was rushed to a hospital, was confirmed dead on arrival.
The prosecutor, Sergeant Philip Osijale, brought the defendant before the magistrate, Mrs. T.V. George, on three counts bordering on reckles driving.
The charges read in part, “That you, Mathew Hope, on July 14, 2014 at about 5pm, along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, by Ilaje Bus Stop, in the Lagos Magisterial District, being the driver of one Peugeot Boxer bus with registration number, AGL 439 CJ, drove same on the public highway in a reckless manner.
“That you on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, drove same car recklessly and caused the death of one Ernest Okoran, 35 of Baale Street, Ikota Housing Estate, Lagos.
“That you on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, drove dangerously and caused serious damage to HITECH street light valued N2,740,000.”
The offence was said to be punishable under Section 19 of the RTA CAP 27 Vol. 45 Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2012.
After a prayer to the court by the defence counsel, Ganni Oyareruegbe, that his client be admitted to bail in liberal terms, George granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties each in the like sum.
She added, “One of the sureties must be related to the defendant by blood and must be working in a reputable organisation. The sureties must also present two years tax clearance and their residential addresses must be verified by the prosecutor.”
The case was adjourned till August 22, 2014.

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