Court remands truck driver for alleged reckless driving, manslaughter

<p>An Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Friday remanded a 32- year- old truck driver, Andrew Uti, for alleged reckless driving and causing the death of a 58-year-old man.</p>, <p>The defendant, who resides in Benin City, Edo State, is charged with alleged driving without a driver’s licence, dangerous and reckless driving and causing death.</p>, <p>The Magistrate, Mrs M.O Tanimola, adjourned the case until Dec. 4 for legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions.</p>, <p>Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Bassey Sunday told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offences on Oct. 20 at about 8.00 am.</p>, <p>He alleged that the accident occurred along Ikorodu Express Road, on top of Mile 12 bridge, Lagos.</p>, <p>He said that the defendant, drove a MAN-Diesel Truck carrying plantain recklessly, knocking down a 58- year old pedestrian, Rasheed Lawal.</p>, <p>”Lawal died on the spot and the truck driver left the accident scene but was later caught in the Alapere area of Lagos.</p>, <p>“The defendant told the police that he didn’t go to any driving school and he does not have a drivers licence.</p>, <p>”He also told the police that the vehicle papers had expired,” Sunday told the court.</p>, <p>The prosecutor said the offence contravened schedule 1 item 1, sections 18 and 20 of the Traffic Law of Lagos State, 2012.</p>, <p>Uti pleaded not guilty to the charge. (NAN)</p>