From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
A magistrate court in Osogbo, Osun State, has remanded a 35-year-old man, Ibrahim Muntari, in correctional centre, for alleged reckless driving, leading to the death of six students of Osun State University.
The police prosecutor, Akintunde Jacob, told the court that the defendant drove in a dangerous manner that caused the death form the students and also caused serious injuries to four other persons.
The charges reads in part: “That you Ibrahim Muntari, on March 23,2024,at about 1430hrs., at Balogun Area,
Ikire, Osun State in Ikire Magisterial district sitting in Osogbo, being the driver in charge of a Luxurious Bus with registration number :”EPE 796 YH drove the same vehicle on the public highway in a manner which was dangerous to the members of the Public and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 18 of Cap 146 Vol. II law of Osun of Nigeria 2002.
“That you Ibrahim Muntari ,on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial district being the driver in charge of aforementioned vehicle drove the same on the public highway in a manner by cause the death to six victims, namely:- (1.) Late Olagbemide Olaoluwadotun of Department of soft ware Engineering, Osun State University, Osogbo (2.) Late Funmilola Mary Oyawuyi ‘ of Word of life Tabernacle, Sango, Eleyele, Ibadan (3.) Late Ogundare Oluwapelumi
Rhoda , 23,of Department for soft ware Engineering, Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State (4.) Late Ogundare Ayomide, 19, of Department for Medical Health, Osun State University, Osogbo and two others, their names and addressed yet unknown and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 27 of RTA CAP 548 laws of Nigeria.
“That you Ibrahim Muntari ,on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial district being the driver in charge of aforementioned vehicle drove the same on the public highway in a manner which caused the serious injuries to four victims, their names and addressed yet unknown and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 18 (b)CAP 115 laws of Osun State of
Nigeria.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the eight count charges of dangerous driving, driving without vehicle licence, road worthiness and certificate of insurance and causing death of six persons, leveled against him by the police.
His counsel, Gomina Suaibu, urged the court to grant the defendant bail in the most liberal term, assuring that he would stand his trial if released on bail.
But, Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara, directed the counsel to file a formal application for the bail of his client and ordered that the defendant be remanded in Ilesa correctional centre.
Magistrate Ayilara thereby adjourned the matter to 2nd June, for hearing.