A 22-year-old truck driver, Muraina Taiwo, was on Tuesday arraigned before an Osun State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Osogbo for causing the death of six persons with his vehicle.
The accused was arraigned on two counts of driving without a heavy duty permit and driving in a manner that caused death on a road.
According to Bola Bamigbola of The Punch Newspaper, The police prosecutor, Akintunde Jacob, explained that the crime was committed on November 16, 2019, around 10.15am at the Steel Rolling area of Osogbo.
He said the accused drove a tipper lorry with number plate FST 597 XY without a heavy duty permit and in a manner that led to the death of six persons.
He gave names of the deceased as Suraju Abdulsalam, Olayiwola Shittu, Oyesakin Surulere, Abdullateef Azeez, Alabi Sayo and Kolawole Precious.
According to him, the offences are contrary to and punishable under sections 18 and 27 of the Road Transport Act, Cap 485, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
The counsel for the accused, Taiwo Awokunle, urged the court to admit his client to bail with an assurance that Muraina was ready to stand trial.
Awokunle also said the families of the victims and the National Union of Road Transport Workers’ leadership had decided not to press charges against his client.
The prosecutor did not object to the bail application but applied for the duplication of the case file and to be sent to the Ministry of Justice for legal advice.
Ruling on the application, Magistrate Taofiq Badmus,admitted Muraina to bail in the sum of N500,000 and two sureties in like sum.
He adjourned the case till January 17, 2020.
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