The driver of a Lagos State Bus Rapid Transport, Adebisi Adebayo, has been arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court for allegedly driving recklessly and causing an accident on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos.
Adebayo, 57, who drove the vehicle with number plate, LSD 951 XH, was also accused of driving without a license.
He was arraigned on on six counts of reckless driving, causing injury and driving without vehicle license.
The charge reads in part, “That you, Adebisi Adebayo, of 264 Ikorodu Road, Ojota, Lagos, on May 22, 2014, at about 9am along Third Mainland Bridge, by MRS Filling Station, Yaba-Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, being the driver in charge of Ashor-Leyland BRT vehicle with number plate, LSD 951 XH, drove in a dangerous manner in the public highway without due regards to other road users.
“That you drove in a careless and inconsiderate manner without due regards to other road users and caused injury to one Chief Kehinde Dawodu.”
The police prosecutor, Inspector Moses Okuomoise, said the offences were punishable under sections 28, 7, 30 of RTA Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and elected summary trial.
His defence counsel, Sunday Oyeyinka, asked the court to admit him to bail in liberal terms.
Oyeyinka added, “The defendant was not even in the vehicle when the accident happened. He had gone out to treat a boy who fell off the bus. It was his stationary BRT that collided with the vehicle of the complainant.”
The Magistrate, O.O. Olatunji wondered why the defendant could have been brought to court if he didn’t commit the offence.
He called the Investigating Police Officer to give the facts of the case.
The IPO from Yaba Police Station said, “On May 22, 2014, at about 9am, the BRT vehicle which was driven by Adebayo, ran into a jeep on the Third Mainland Bridge. Suddenly, one LT bus coming behind also ran into the BRT from the rear.
“This led to multiple accidents as those behind the vehicles were also involved in the accident.”
He added that while the other vehicle owners decided to let the BRT driver go, it was the owner of the LT bus that insisted on bringing the matter to court.
The LT bus owner, Dawodu, explained he wouldn’t have pressed charges but for the attitude of the management of the BRT.
He said, “We had an arrangement for settlement. They sent someone from their Alausa office, and he took the cost for the repair of the bus which is about N70, 000. I told them to either follow me to the panel beater who would repair the vehicle, or they should tow the bus to their secretariat and repair it there.
“The following week, it was a lawyer I saw. They said they were operating a comprehensive insurance policy and would need some more things from me. Even the Divisional Police Officer handling the case said all they needed was a police report, but they said it was not enough. When I saw how they were handling the case, I decided to fight my matter in the court.”
The Magistrate advised the parties to sort out the matter amicably.
Olatunji said, “This is a matter that can easily be settled if the complainant’s vehicle is repaired. That’s all he’s asking for. The cost of hiring a lawyer to defend the BRT driver, and then sending him to the Ikoyi Prison where he will be, pending the perfection of his bail, are too much.”
He admitted him to bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
The matter was adjourned till July 25, 2014.
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