Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
A magistrate court in Osogbo, Osun State, has remanded a driver, Ibrahim Muntari in a Correctional Centre for allegedly causing the death of six students of Osun State University.
The police prosecutor, Akintunde Jacob, told the court that the defendant drove in a dangerous manner that caused the death of the students and also caused serious injuries to four other persons.
The charges read in part: “That you Ibrahim Muntari ‘m’ on the 23/03/2025 at about 1430hrs, at Balogun Area, Ikire, Osun State in Ikire Magisterial district sitting in Osogbo, being the driver in charge of a Luxurious Bus with Reg. No:- ‘LAGOS’ EPE 796 YH drove the same vehicle on the public highway in a manner which was dangerous to the members of the public and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 18 of Cap 146 Vol. II Law of Osun of Nigeria 2002.”
“That you Ibrahim Muntari ‘m’, on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial district being the driver in charge of aforementioned vehicle drove the same on the public highway in a manner by causing the death to 6 victims, namely:- (1.) Late Olagbemide Olaoluwadotun ‘m’ of Department of Software Engineering, Osun State University, Osogbo (2.) Late Funmilola Mary Oyawuyi of Word of Life Tabernacle, Sango, Eleyele, Ibadan (3.) Late Ogundare Oluwapelumi Rhoda aged 23 years of Department of Software Engineering, Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State (4.) Late Ogundare Ayomide ‘m’ aged 19 years of Department of Medical Health, Osun State University, Osogbo and 2 others, their names and addresses yet unknown and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 27 of RTA CAP 548 Laws of Nigeria.”
“That you Ibrahim Muntari ‘m’, on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial district being the driver in charge of aforementioned vehicle drove the same on the public highway in a manner which caused serious injuries to four victims, their names and addresses yet unknown and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 18 (b) CAP 115 Laws of Osun State of Nigeria.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the eight-count charges of dangerous driving, driving without a vehicle licence, roadworthiness, and certificate of insurance, and causing the death of six persons, levelled against him by the police.
His counsel, Gomina Suaibu, urged the court to grant the defendant bail on the most liberal terms, assuring that he would stand his trial if released on bail.
But Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara directed the counsel to file a formal application for the bail of his client and ordered that the defendant be remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre.
Magistrate Ayilara thereby adjourned the matter to 2 June for hearing.