By Gabriel Enogholase
BENIN—A Bullion van driver with Union Bank of Nigeria Plc , Mr. Olajide Gboroye, has been arraigned before an Okada Magistrate Court, Edo State, on a three-count charge of murder, reckless and dangerous driving.

According to Count one of the charge brought against him by the state Commissioner of Police, the accused was alleged to have driven one Toyota Hilux Bullion van with Registration Number DC58JJJ-LAGOS, in a reckless and dangerous manner along the Akure – Benin Road and collided with one Renault van with Reg. No GA85LSD driven by one Richard Ebiredelu, which resulted in his death.

The accused was alleged to have committed the offence, which is punishable and contrary to Section 13 (1) (b) Cap.135 of the Federal Highway Act of 1971.

According to Count 2 of the charge, Mr. Gboroye was said to have on the same day, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial district, did drove the said vehicle in the public highway recklessly or in a manner which is dangerous to the public having to the circumstances of the case including the nature and condition of the public highway and amount of traffic expected to be on the highway at that time.

It further held that as a result of the reckless and dangerous driving by the accused, he collided with the vehicle of Mr. Richard Ebiredelu and caused his death thereby committing an offence contrary and punishable under Section 26 Cap 148 Vol.5 of the Road Traffic Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976 as applied to Edo State.

Count three of the charge also held that, “That you Olajide Gboroye ‘m’ on the same date and place in the aforementioned Magisterial district, drove same vehicle on the public highway recklessly or in a manner which is dangerous to the public having regards to all circumstances of the case including nature, condition and the use of public highway …by colliding with the said vehicle and causing the death of one Osatumaro ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 26 Cap 148 Vol.5 of the Road Traffic Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria as applicable to Edo State”
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges, while hearings continue.