Lagos Bus/Train Accident: Bus Driver, Osinbajo Faces Life Imprisonment
The driver of the BRT bus that collidedo in an accident with a moving train at the Ikeja Level Crossing earlier in the month, Osinbajo Oluwaseun, faces life imprisonment if found guilty of manslaughter charges brought against him by the Lagos State High Court.
AsphericNews reports that on the morning of the 9th of March, 2023, a LASG staff bus collided with a train at the PWD railway crossing at Ikeja and the train dragged the bus with its passengers along the tracks until it came to a halt at Sogunle, a suburb of Ikeja, Lagos State.
The horrific incident which involved LASG staff heading to work in the staff bus and passengers of the train resulted in six fatalities with about 96 others with various degrees of injuries.
The injured victims were hospitalised across many government hospitals in the State.
In Nigeria, manslaughter is an unlawful killing that does not involve malice aforethought, that is, an intention to seriously harm or kill, or extreme, reckless disregard for life.
But, according to the Nigerian law, the punishment for voluntary manslaughter could be life imprisonment but it’s left at the discretion of the judge.
However in a statement by the director, public affairs, Lagos Ministry of Justice, Grace Alo, the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP), established a prima facie case of manslaughter and grievous body harm against the driver of the Staff bus.
The statement read, “the driver of the staff bus on the fateful day, Oluwaseun Osibanjo, was apprehended and handed over to the Police for investigation and possible prosecution by the State. At the end of investigations, the case file was forwarded to the DPP for further statutory actions.
“Upon the receipt and review of the case file by the DPP, a prima facie case of Manslaughter, and Grievous Body Harm was disclosed against the driver of the Staff bus. Accordingly, he is to be charged with six counts of Manslaughter and 10 counts of Grievous Body Harm. Both offences are contrary to Sections 224 and 245 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
“The Office of the DPP will immediately file charges against the Driver. However, his arraignment before the High Court of Lagos State shall be delayed until he is fully fit to stand trial, having sustained serious injuries during the accident.”