By Abimbola Ogunnaike
Operatives of the Lagos Police Command have arrested a crane operator after a passerby was killed when an electric cable drum fell on him on Ojo-Igbede Road in the Ojo Local Government Area of the state on Thursday, 14 March, 2024
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development in a post on his X handle on Sunday, 17 March, 2024 saying that the crane operator will likely spend the rest of his life in prison for “reckless and negligent act; and involuntary manslaughter.”
“The operator of this crane will likely spend life in prison. He did not put any warning or danger sign around the crane as he worked. Neither did he station anyone to ward off passersby.
“A passerby who was engrossed with his phone approached. By an unfortunate twist of fate, the cable drum being lifted fell off its hook and fell on the passerby, killing him instantly.
“Crane operator is in police custody for reckless and negligent act; and involuntary manslaughter,” Hundeyin said
“Any person, who, in reckless or negligent manner as to endanger human life or, to be likely to cause harm to any other person is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for two years.
“A person who unlawfully kills another in circumstances which does not constitute murder is guilty of manslaughter if he causes death by an unlawful and dangerous act; or with gross negligence or reckless disregard for human life.”
The document further disclosed the punishment for manslaughter, which read, “Any person who commits the offence of manslaughter is liable to imprisonment for life,” Hundeyin added.
Recall that the incident happened when a fork-lift operator was moving armoured cables from a container on Thursday.
According to a police source, the deceased, who died on his way to the hospital, was busy with his phone when the cable fell on him
