Man arraigned over alleged reckless driving on highway

A 46-year-old man, Bamidele Emmanuel, was on Monday arraigned before an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court over alleged reckless driving on a highway.

The Prosecutor, Insp Olawale Odusina, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on July 30 on Ibadan-Ile-Ife Road.

Odusina said that Emmanuel, who was in charge of a Mazda bus with registration number KJA 29 YM, drove recklessly on a public highway without regard for other road users.

He said that the defendant drove dangerously and caused injuries to one Tobi Akanbi, while damaging an unregistered red Bajaj Boxer motorcycle belonging to him.

The prosecutor further stated that the defendant drove without a valid driver’s licence.

Odusina said that the offences were contrary to and punishable under Sections 13(1), 6(10) and 10(3) of the Road Traffic Law, Cap. 115, Vol. 11, Laws of Osun State, 2002.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge bordering on reckless driving and driving without a valid licence.

The Defence Counsel, Mr O.M. Oyewande, applied for the bail of his client in the most liberal terms, assuring the court that the defendant would not abscond.

The Magistrate, Mrs Abosede Sarumi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500, 000, with two sureties in like sum.

Sarumi said that the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means, reside within the court’s jurisdiction and present three years’ tax clearance certificates and valid means of identification.

She added that the first surety must be a landed property owner, while the second must be a blood relation of the defendant.

The magistrate adjourned the case until Oct. 5 for hearing.