… TO PROSECUTE DRIVER AND VEHICLE OVER KILLING OF THREE
The Lagos State Government has commenced the trial of the captain of one Mount Zion Boat, Elebiju Happiness, over the mishap on Waterways along Kirikiri, Lagos.
The trial began on Thursday before Hon. Justice Oyefeso of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja.
The defendant was charged for involuntary manslaughter and the operating of a boat without a license.
Elebiju was arraigned by the Lagos State Government on a Ten (10) count charge dated 24th of August, 2020.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Elebiju allegedly caused the death of Thirteen (13) passengers in a boat mishap on the Lagos State Inland Waterways along Kirikiri after taking off from a loading site with twenty (20) passengers.
Upon capsizing, the rescue team of Lagos State Waterways Authority, Marine Police and other boat operators rescued five (5) passengers while the defendant (Captain of the boat) and his Deck hand boy survived.
The Director Public Prosecutions, Mrs. Adeyemi, who led the prosecution argued that the alleged offences against the defendant involuntary manslaughter was contrary to Section 224 and punishable under section 229 of the Criminal Law Ch C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015 and operating without a license contrary to Section 311 (1) of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.
The Director further presented two witnesses before the court who gave evidence against the defendant on the incident.
The trial Judge, Hon. Justice Oyefeso, however, adjourned the matter to 17th of September for continuation of trial.
In a related development, the Lagos State Government has commenced the prosecution of one driver and owner of a vehicle, Dominic Amaechi and Cyprian Arinze respectively over the killing of two persons and injury on another person.
The defendants were arraigned on 2nd of September, 2020 before Justice Ogala of Lagos State High Court, Ikeja.
The driver of the vehicle was charged for driving in a dangerous and reckless manner, involuntary manslaughter, grievous harm, wilful damage, failure to obtain a valid driver’s license.
The owner of the vehicle was charged for involuntary manslaughter as a result of refusal to ensure that his truck was roadworthy and failure to obtain vehicle licence and permits.
The duo pleaded not guilty over the cause of the death of Eno Joseph (M); Titilayo Alayonimi (F), broke the leg of one Alani Oladipupo (M) and also the damage to the property of Saba Steel Nigeria Ltd.
According to the prosecutor, the offences were contrary to Section 51 of the transport sector Law of Lagos State, 2018 and contrary to Section 18 of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.
The case was adjourned till 30th of September for trial.