The driver of the ill-fated Lexus SUV in the boxing champion Anthony Joshua accident case has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Sagamu, Ogun State, on Friday.
The driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, aged 46, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate O. M. Somefun on four count charges, including reckless driving and lack of a valid national driver’s licence.
In count one, the driver was accused of driving on the public highway in a manner which was dangerous to members of the public, resulting in a fatal accident that caused the untimely death of two persons who were Joshua’s friends.
He was also accused of driving the vehicle on the public highway “recklessly, negligently, or at a speed or in a manner which was dangerous to the members of the public by not having regard to all the circumstances of the case, including the nature and condition of the road.”
Count four reads: “That you, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, on the same day, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, drove the same vehicle on the public highway without a National Driver’s Licence and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 10 (1) of the Federal Highway Act Cap F:135 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as applicable in Ogun State.”
The suspect pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Somefun granted the suspect bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties.
However, the suspect was remanded at Correctional Centre, Sagamu, until he meets the bail conditions.
The court adjourned the matter till January 20 for trial.
Daily Trust reports that Joshua was involved in a road crash along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on Monday, in which two of his friends died.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) had blamed the driver for overspeeding and wrongful overtaking, which reportedly led to the car crashing into a stationary truck on the highway.
Daily Trust reports that Joshua, who was rushed to a Lagos medical facility for treatment, was discharged on Wednesday.
Police sources told our correspondent on Thursday that the driver was equally discharged on Wednesday, but he was escorted to the Police Command’s headquarters in Abeokuta.
Speaking with earlier Daily Trust, Babaseyi had explained that the investigation was to determine the driver’s culpability in the accident.
He said, “Part of our duty as Nigerian police officers is to investigate accidents. Even failure to report an accident is an offence.
“When the accident happened, FRSC handed over the case to our Motor Traffic Department.
“The car that Anthony Joshua was in is in our custody, but the truck that was stationary is in the FRSC custody because it is closer to the accident scene. So, part of our duty is to investigate the accident.”
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