Oluwaseun Osibanjo, driver of the Lagos State Government staff bus that collided with a moving train, will face a 16-count charge of manslaughter and grievous bodily harm, the state Ministry of Justice has said.
The ministry’s spokesperson Grace Alo said in a statement on Friday that the horrific incident which involved Lagos State Government staff heading to work in the staff bus and passengers of the train, resulted in six fatalities.
“About 96 others are with various degrees of injuries and the injured victims are hospitalised across many government hospitals in the state,” the statement said.
The staff bus collided with a train on March 9 at the PWD railway crossing at Ikeja and the train dragged the bus with its passengers along the tracks until it came to a stop at Sogunle, a suburb of Ikeja.
Survivors of the accident said Mr Osibanjo refused their plea to stop and allow the train pass before moving the bus. But the driver refuted the allegation, saying the bus had technical fault.
The statement added, “Upon the receipt and review of the case file by the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP), a prima facie case of manslaughter and grievous bodily harm were disclosed against the driver of the Staff bus.
“Accordingly, he is to be charged with six counts of manslaughter and 10 counts of grievous bodily harm.
“Both offences are contrary to Sections 224 and 245 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
The statement added that the office of the DPP would immediately file charges against the driver.
However, his arraignment before the Ikeja High Court would be delayed until he is fully fit to stand trial, having sustained serious injuries during the accident.
