Man docked for alleged reckless driving, killing three

 A 32-year-old man, Abiodun Mustapha, was on Friday arraigned in an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court for alleged dangerous driving and causing death of three persons.

Mr Mustapha, who resides at Bambi Estate, Gudugba, Ifo area of Ogun, is facing a three-count charge of dangerous driving, causing the death of three persons, and inflicting collateral damage on a taxi cab.

The prosecutor, Insp. Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on January 6, at about 6:40 a.m., along Lagos/Abeokuta Express Road, Ile-Ise Paanu Area of Abeokuta.

Mr Olu-Balogun said the defendant, using one Corolla saloon car, with Lagos Registration number, LND 618 FD, drove recklessly and dangerously on the highway.

“His action caused the untimely death of three persons, and seriously injured two others,” he said.

According to him, the defendant drove on top speed on the highway and hit one Nissan Micra taxi cab with Ogun registration number AKM 590 YQ, from the rear.

The prosecutor listed the victims as; Temitope Saliu, 59, Hannah Saliu, 20, and Isah Saliu, 2 years old.

Mr Mustapha was also alleged to have caused serious injury to the taxi driver, Rasaq Olasinde, and a pregnant woman, Oluwafikemi Joseph.

He said all the victims were rushed to the Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta, where the deceased persons were confirmed dead.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor noted that the offences contravened sections 13, 5, and 7, of the Federal Highway Act Cap F13, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Magistrate I.O Abudu granted the defendant bail of N500,000 with one surety in like sum.

Mrs Abudu added that the surety must be bonded and registered with the Ogun State Judiciary.

She adjourned the case until February 9, for commencement of trial.