Reckless Truck Driver Gets Life Imprisonment For Killing FRSC Personnel In Lagos

Lagos State High Court sentence truck driver to life imprisonment for killing “FRSC officer who was lawfully on duty.”

FRSC said that the fatal incident occurred on 16 Nov 2023 while its patrol team was conducting routine traffic enforcement.

Investigations revealed that the defendant was driving a 40-feet container laden truck at excessive speed.

The defendant reportedly rammed into a stationary mini truck that had been flagged down for inspection.

The Lagos State High Court (TBS Division) has sentenced a truck driver, one Okpara Kingsley Onyekachi, to life imprisonment for killing a Deputy Chief Road Marshal Assistant Ajomale, a “FRSC officer who was lawfully on duty.”

In a statement, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) described the conviction and life imprisonment sentence handed down to Onyekachi as a landmark victory for justice and road safety enforcement in Nigeria.

“The fatal incident occurred on 16 November 2023 at Orile-Iganmu, Lagos State, while an FRSC patrol team was conducting routine traffic enforcement,” FRSC said in a statement by the Assistant Corps Marshal, Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide.

“Investigations revealed that the defendant, driving a 40-feet container laden truck at excessive speed, failed to exercise due care and rammed into a stationary mini truck that had been flagged down for inspection.”

“The violent impact crushed Deputy Chief Road Marshal Assistant Ajomale, a personnel actively discharging official duties, leading to fatal injuries.”

“The Court found the driver’s conduct grossly negligent, reckless, and unlawful, rejected any claim of accident, and convicted him of Involuntary Manslaughter, thereby sentencing him to life imprisonment under the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”

Reacting to the judgment, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, warned that drivers, especially operators of heavy-duty vehicles, who disregard traffic regulations and endanger lives of innocent road Users should expect severe legal consequences.

The Corps Marshal further emphasised that FRSC will intensify enforcement, prosecution support, and stakeholder collaboration to curb dangerous driving behaviours.

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