The Lagos State Government will soon begin prosecution of the ill-fated staff bus that crashed into train last month in Lagos which led to the death of about ten people and left many injured.
The decision to prosecute the driver, Oluwaseun Osibanjo, was as a result of the legal advice by the state Directorate of Public Prosecution after the police concluded its investigation and handed over the case file to the DPP.
The state Director of Public Prosecution, Mrs Grace All, gave the advice after going through the case file presented by the police.
According to statement by the Office of the DPP, Osibanjo will be tried on six count charges of manslaughter and ten count charges of grievious body harm.
The maximum penalty for manslaughter is life jail term.
Below is the full statement from the DPP
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.
Thank you.
DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS
LAGOS STATE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
24th March 2023
