A 34-year-old driver has been docked before a Magistrates’ Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, for reckless driving and allegedly killing a commercial motorcyclist.
The defendant, Oluwaferanmi Ayodele, was said to have caused the death of Ibrahim Abdullahi, 32, when he collided with the deceased’s Boxer motorcycle following reckless driving.
The police prosecutor, Nelson Akintimehin, told the court that the defendant drove with an expired drivers’ licence when the accident happened.
According to Akintimehin, Ayodele drove a MAZDA 323 saloon car with the number plate Lagos ET-244-FST on October 30, 2021, at about 10:30 pm at Oke Ijebu area of Akure at a speed and manner dangerous to the public.
While explaining that the defendant committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Road Traffic Law, Cap 136 Vol.3 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006, Akintimehin also stated that Ayodele drove the aforementioned car on the public highway with expired vehicle particulars contrary to Section 80 and punishable under section 81 (1) of Road Traffic Acts Cap 111 Vol. 6 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.
The prosecutor subsequently made an application for the remand of the defendant in a correctional facility.
On his part, counsel to the defendant, Olugbenga Akinkuotu, informed the court that the defendant and the relatives of the deceased were on the verge of settlement of the case except that they were yet to conclude or agree on terms.
While pleading with the court to grant the defendant bail in liberal terms, Akinkuotu canvassed that the offences are bailable, adding that the defendant is innocent until the contrary is proven.
With the case adjourned till December 3, 2021, for a hearing, the Chief Magistrate, Musa Al-Yunnus, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety in like sum.
