A truck driver, Aderogba Adeyeye, has been brought before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court, Lagos State, for allegedly crushing a policeman, Jeffrey Avro, the cop’s brother, King, and a relative.

According to reports, the victims were passing through the Palm Avenue area, Mushin, in a Toyota Camry when the truck, with number plate, Lagos JJJ 809 XD, reportedly rammed into them.

It was gathered that Jeffrey, a spy policeman, died on the spot, while King gave up the ghost two weeks after at the Lagos Teaching Hospital.

The relative, Mabel John, reportedly broke her legs in the incident which happened around 1.30am on June 28.

She was said to have been taken from LUTH to her hometown in Delta State for further treatment.

The 33-year-old truck driver fled the scene, but was later arrested by policemen from the Olosan division, where the incident was reported.

Our correspondent gathered that the case was later transferred to the X-Squad section of the state police command for further investigation.

In his statement to the police, an in-law of the deceased, identified only as Williams, said the family was contacted about the incident at 4.30am on the fateful day.

He said, “My wife received a call at 4.30am from a rescuer that there was an accident around Mushin involving her relatives. When we got to the hospital, King was in a coma, while Mabel’s (John) legs were broken. Jeffrey, a spy police officer who drove the car, died at the spot. Two weeks after, his brother also died at the hospital.”

Adeyeye told the police that he fled the scene because of an angry mob that reportedly descended on him.

He said, “I was driving along Palm Avenue, Mushin, that morning while the car was coming from Oshodi side. I had entered a junction when the car hit my truck, which fell on it. It was the driver of the car that was on top speed.

“I came down to rescue the victims, but some boys descended on me. That was why I ran away. I reported at the station the following day. It was at the station that I learnt that the accident was very serious and claimed lives.”

A police prosecutor, Inspector Benson Emuerhi, arraigned Adeyeye on four counts bordering on reckless driving and driving without a licence before the court.

The charges read in part, “That you, Aderogba Adeyeye, on June 28, 2015, at about 1.30am, at the Palm Avenue, by Olohunsogo Street, Mushin, in the Lagos Magisterial District, being the driver of one Daf truck, with registration number, Lagos JJJ 809 XD, drove same recklessly and dangerously on the public highway and caused the death of one Jeffrey Avro and King Avro

“That you on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district, did drive the same vehicle recklessly on the public highway without a driving licence and a valid vehicle licence.”

The offences, according to the police, contravene sections 5, 7 and 20, Cap. 172, Vol. 7 of the Lagos State Road Traffic Law, 2012.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

His counsel, O. Olayinka, told the court that a talk had already been initiated with the family of the victims to settle the matter out of court.

He said, “The defendant and the family of the victims are already in a dialogue to settle the matter and an accord is almost reached. He should not have been charged to court, but for the discretion of the investigating police officer in charge of the case.”

Mrs. O.A. Olayinka, a chief magistrate, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500,000.00 with two sureties in like sum. She added that the sureties must provide evidence of tax payment and tender their residential addresses before the court for verification.

The case was adjourned till August 20, 2015.

 

Source: Punchng.com

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