60-year-old driver remanded over alleged manslaughter

A 60-year-old driver, Felix Alele, has been remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prisons, Apapa, by an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court, on Wednesday.
Alele, who resides in Delta State, is facing a three-count charge of manslaughter and reckless driving.
The Magistrate, Miss A.O. Akinde, ordered that the accused should be detained pending legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions.
“Based on the sensitivity of the case, it is difficult to grant bail. Bail will be at the discretion of the court.
Case file should be documented and sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice,” she said.
The Prosecutor, Inspector Chinalu Uwadione, had earlier told the court that the accused committed the offences at 8:30 a.m. on November 12, 2013 along Ogunnusi Road, opposite Babs Fafunwa Millennium Grammar School, Ojodu, Ikeja.
Uwadione said that the accused drove a Mack articulated lorry with number-plate, KSF 507 XB, dangerously and caused the death of one Collins Afe, 29.
“The deceased, who was the motor boy to Alele, was sent on errand by him; unknown to the accused, Afe had returned and was under the truck.” Uwadione said.
According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 25(a), 28(i) and 36(p), Road Traffic Law of the Federation, 2003.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The case was adjourned till December 10, 2013 for mention.