A Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court on Thursday in Lagos granted a bail of N250,000 to a tanker driver, Olamilekan Kareem, over alleged manslaughter. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.A. Oshoniyi, who gave the ruling, also granted the accused two sureties in like sum.

She said the sureties should provide evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government as part of the bail conditions.  Oshoniyi stood in for the Magistrate, Mrs A.F. Adeeyo, who has been handling the case.

Kareem, 34, who lives at No. 24, Akinloye St., Ibadan, Oyo State, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Jimah Iseghede told the court that the tanker driver, who allegedly drove recklessly, lost control and knocked down a man, Rasheed Ashimiyu.

According to him, the 38-year-old Ashimiyu from Opoyeosa Street, Ibadan, was a bus conductor. He said the accused committed the offence at Onile Bus Stop on Lagos-Badagry Expressway at about 1.30 p.m. on June 30.

Iseghede noted that the offence contravened Section 20 of the Road Traffic Laws of Lagos State. The case was adjourned to July 31 for mention.