Lagos Presses Charges Against Driver Of Staff Bus That Had Train Accident

The Lagos State government has said it will charge the driver of the staff bus, which collided with a train at the PWD railway crossing on March 9 which led to the death of at least six persons.

Topnaija Reports that the moving train ran into a bus at the PWD crossing in Ikeja and dragged it to the Shogunle area of the state.

A message from Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, South-West Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency who confirmed the incident had initially read, “Two adult female staff of the State Government dead and several injured evacuated.

Meanwhile, the government on Friday said that the driver would be charged on six charges of manslaughter and ten counts of grievous bodily harm. It noted that both offences were against Sections 224 and 245 of the Lagos State Criminal Code from 2015.

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr. Jide Martins, reviewed the case file and established a prima facie case of manslaughter and grievous bodily harm against the driver of the staff bus, according to a statement released by the office of the Director of Public Affairs in the state’s Ministry of Justice on Friday.

The statement said, “It would be recalled that on the morning of the 9th of March, 2023, a LASG staff bus collided with a train 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, Lagos State.

“The horrific incident which involved LASG staff heading to work in the staff bus and passengers of the train resulted in six fatalities with about 96 others with various degrees of injuries. The injured victims were hospitalised across many Government Hospitals in the State.

“The driver of the staff bus on the fateful day (Mr. Oluwaseun Osibanjo) was apprehended and handed over to the Police for investigation and possible prosecution by the State. At the end of investigations, the case file was forwarded to the D.P.P. for further statutory actions.

“Upon the receipt and review of the case file by the D.P.P, a prima facie case of Manslaughter, and Grievous Body Harm was disclosed against the driver of the Staff bus. Accordingly, he is to be charged with six counts of Manslaughter and 10 counts of Grievous Body Harm. Both offences are contrary to Sections 224 and 245 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

“The Office of the D.P.P. will immediately file charges against the Driver. However, his arraignment before the High Court of Lagos State shall be delayed until he is fully fit to stand trial, having sustained serious injuries during the accident.”