The police in Osun have dragged a 30-year-old truck driver, Ibrahim Salmon before an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court in Osun State for allegedly crushing a woman, Jennifer Shobanjo, to death a few days after returning from the United States.
Police prosecutor, Akintunde Jacob, told the court that Salmon committed the offence on August 2, 2021 at Iwaraja junction, Akure-Ilesa expressway, while driving a DAF-95 truck with registration number Kwara BDU 216 XB against the traffic. In the process, he rammed into a Toyota SUV conveying Shobanjo, thereby causing her death.
According to the charge sheets, “Ibrahim Salmon, a driver of DAF-95 truck with registration number BDU 216 XB, did drive in a manner which was dangerous to the public and caused the death of Jennifer Shobanjo, residing at 9, Ewenla Street, Bariga, Lagos.
“That you (defendant), at the same time, date and place, damaged a Toyota Jeep with number plate, Lagos LSR 398 EE, property of one Adeosun Olasinde of 9, Ewenla Street, Bariga, Lagos.”
Jacob further stated that the defendant drove without compliance to the provision of law, and failed to obtain requisite documents, including road worthiness, hackney permit, driver’s licence and heavy duty permit.
The offences contravened sections 18, 27 of the Criminal Code, Cap 146, Volume II, Laws of Osun State, 2002. The accused was also alleged to have committed other offences contravening sections 34, 139, 142, 21(b), 149 of RTA Laws of Nigeria, 2015.
However, when the seven-count-charge were read to him, Salmon pleaded not guilty to the preferred against him by the police.
The defence counsel, Praise Ofoyeju, then prayed the court to grant bail to his client in liberal terms, adding that he would provide reliable individuals to stand as sureties for him.
Jacob opposed the oral bail application, saying that the matter involved loss of life and that the deceased was the breadwinner of her family who only returned to the country from her base in the US shortly before her demise.
After listening to arguments from both sides, Magistrate O. A. Daramola, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.
He also ruled that the sureties must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction, and adjourned the matter to October 4 for mention.
Salmon was, thereafter, remanded at the Ilesa Correctional facility pending when he would meet the bail conditions, or his appearance on the next adjourned date.
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