Two drivers, Ejedegba Jeremiah, 25, and Ojerinde Gbenga, 42, were on Wednesday arraigned in an Osun Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ile-Ife, over alleged manslaughter.
The accused are facing a six-count charge of conspiracy, manslaughter, reckless driving and damages, driving without drivers’ license and kicking against traffic law.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Osanyintuyi, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on Aug 7, 2018 around 4:30 a.m. along Road 2, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) area, Ile-Ife.
Osanyintuyi said that the accused were the drivers of a Mercedes Benz car with Reg. No. ABC 183 PQ, and a Toyota Camry car with Reg. No. DN 665 RBC.
He said that the accused drove dangerously on the public highway and caused the death of a 52-year-old man, Yinusa Ogunniran.
The prosecutor added that Jeremiah and Gbenga drove recklessly on the public highway without drivers’ licences.
According to him, the accused through their reckless driving also damaged 11 electric poles that belonged to the university.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 18 of the Federal Highway Road Traffic Act Cap 135 and Sections 4, 6 (10) of the Laws of Osun, 2002.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The defense counsel, Mr Bolaji Adewale, pleaded for the bail of the accused in most Liberal term and promised that his clients would not jump bail, but would provide substantial sureties.
The Magistrate, Mr Ishola Omisade, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum each.
Omisade said that the sureties must swear to affidavit of means, be civil servants on salary grade level 10, reside within the court jurisdiction and have verified addresses.
He adjourned the case until Nov. 22, for hearing.
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