Reckless Driving Student Docked Over Death Of Three

A student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Olaide Bello, has been arraigned before an Ilorin Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly causing the death of three persons through dangerous driving.

The accused, a student in the Department of Banking and Finance, was docked on a count-charge of causing death by dangerous driving, contrary to section 23 of the Road Traffic Law.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Abdullahi Sanni, told the court that the car of the accused collided with one commercial bus on November 21.

He said that the incident occurred at Oke-Ose village in Ilorin East Local Government on the old Jebba way when the accused ‘suddenly’ swerved to the lane of the bus.

The action of the accused, he said, resulted in the bus going up in flames and burning three passengers to death while nine sustained serious injuries.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The defence counsel, Abdullahi Hadi, said that the accused did not deliberately commit the offence.

Although the prosecution opposed bail for the accused saying this would jeopardise police investigation, Hadi argued that he was a student receiving lectures on daily basis.

He said denying the accused bail would affect his academic performance, adding that he would provide reliable sureties.

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Sakirat Olanipekun, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

She said one of the sureties must be a civil servant in the state and not below Grade Level 10 while the second must own a landed property in Ilorin metropolis.

The case was adjourned to December 21 for further mention.