Oluwaseun Osinbajo, the driver of the ill-fated government staff bus that collided with a moving train on railway track at PWD railway crossing in Ikeja area of Lagos State would stand trial for manslaughter.
Six workers in the employ of Lagos State Government including a National Youths Service Corps member, Miss Aina Oreoluwa Julianah, all passengers on the bus number, 33 died, while 96 other co-commuters escaped with varying degrees of injuries that landed them in the hospital in the melancholy incident.
By all accounts, Osinbajo was blamed for the March 9 morning mishap.
He was accused of defying the railway flagman’s instruction to allow the oncoming train to have its right of way and ignored entreaties from those on the bus to stop the vehicle for the train to pass.
The tragedy the driver’s defiance produced led to his arrest and under interrogation he claimed the bus had mechanical fault.
Later on, report emerged that the 44-year-old slumped in police custody and was rushed to Federal Medical Centre, Yaba, where he was diagnosed with internal injury ostensibly from the accident.
The present report is that Osinbajo would face manslaughter charge after he regained his health, according to a statement issued by the Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Justice.
Part of the statement as follows: “Upon the receipt and review of the case file by the DPP, 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 DPP 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.”
