TRAIN COLLISION: COURT REMANDS BRT STAFF BUS DRIVER IN PRISON AFTER ARRAIGNMENT

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Oluwaseun Osibanjo, the driver of the Lagos BRT staff bus, has been ordered to remain in custody by an Ikeja High Court after it was claimed that he struck a moving train, causing the passengers’ deaths and serious injuries.

Osibanjo was ordered to remain in custody at the proper facility until his bail application was submitted and heard by the court, per the ruling of Justice Oyindamola Ogala.

Osibanjo was charged with 16 counts, including severe bodily harm and involuntary manslaughter.

On March 9 at 7 a.m., the BRT driver violated the law at the Shogunle Level Crossing in Ikeja.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution claimed that the defendant rushed into an oncoming train while disregarding warning signals, causing the deaths of Oreoluwa Aina, Tolulope Emmanuel, Olayinka Rokosu, Ganiyat Salaudeen, Lasisi Isah, and Victoria Dada. The prosecution was led by Dr. Babajide Martins, Director of Public Prosecution.

The defendant allegedly caused severe harm to Bolanle Ogunbunmi, Ayomide Shobowale, Sarah Adeleye, Abiola Olarewaju, Esther Ekundayo, Samuel Fagbola, and Ismail Bakare, according to the prosecution.

Ayuib Arowoye, Rilwan Abdulazeez, and Shiyanbola Murtala were the others.

Due to the defendant’s health, the driver’s attorney, Mr. Lekan Egberongbe, argued with the court to remand him in police custody until the trial date and the completion of his bail terms.

He clarified that the defendant had been transported to court from the Federal Medical Center in Ebute-Metta.

The judge ruled that the court lacked the defendant’s medical report and lacked the authority to remand the prisoner to police custody.

Justice Ogala did point out that the defendant should receive appropriate medical care, provided the detention facility receives the required medical report on him.

However, the prosecution requested that the defendant be remanded, with the understanding that the correctional system would take care of any necessary medical care.

The prosecution claims that the accused offenses violated Sections 244 and 245 of the Lagos State Criminal Laws, 2015.

The case has been postponed until May 26 so that the trial can begin.