A magistrates’ court in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Monday ordered the remand of a driver, Lasisi Sodiq, in a correctional facility for allegedly causing the death of a student from Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU,.
The 28-year-old Mr. Sodiq faces charges including driving against traffic regulations, reckless driving, driving without a licence, manslaughter, and operating a vehicle without a certificate of insurance.
In her bench ruling, Magistrate Abosede Sarumi directed that the defendant be held in custody at the correctional centre until a bail application is filed. She instructed the defence counsel, Leke Dada, to formally apply for his client’s bail. The case was adjourned until October 2 for mention.
Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Akintunde Jacob, informed the court that the defendant committed the offences on August 22 at 10:30 a.m. near the main campus of OAU, under the pedestrian bridge along Ife/Ibadan Road in Ile-Ife.
Jacob stated that Sodiq, while driving a Lexus car with registration number ABJ 427 LQ, violated traffic laws, drove recklessly, and caused the death of Esu Ema, a student at OAU.
The prosecutor also noted that the defendant was driving without a certificate of insurance, which further contravenes traffic regulations.
The charges against Mr. Sodiq violate Section 18, Cap 146, Vol 2, Laws of Osun; Section 7 of the Road Traffic Law, Vol 6, Cap 115, Laws of Osun, 2002; and Sections 21(b), 27, 139, and 142 of the Road Traffic Act, Cap 548, Laws of Nigeria, 2015.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.