Truck driver bags 2-year jail term for killing motorist

A Chief Magistrates' Court sitting in Gwagwalada, Abuja on Tuesday sentenced a middle aged man, Hamisu Lawal to two years imprisonment for causing the death of a motorist, Kemi Aina.

Lawal, a resident of Daura in Kastina State, who was arraigned on a one-count charge of causing death by dangerous driving, was however, given an option of N15,000 fine.

The Magistrate, Mr Lamido Kabir, sentenced Lawal after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

Kabir said that the convict did not show any remorse or gave reasons why he should not be convicted.

The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Okedi, told the court that on Oct. 14, the convict drove a truck with registration number XA 999 DRA in a dangerous manner along the Abuja-Lokoja Expressway.

Okedi said that the convict drove wrongly at the left lane of the road and overtook and brushed a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number, XU 386 BDG, leading to the accident.

The prosecutor said that Aina was the only person who died in the bus, driven by one Adubina Kolade of three O’s Nigeria Ltd.

Okedi said the offence contravened section 27 of the Road Traffic Act.

The prosecutor urged the court to give Lawal a summary trial since he did not deny the charge.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convict had earlier begged the court for leniency.

``The court should please forgive me and give me a lighter punishment,
I am the bread winner of my family because my father is late,’’ he said. (NAN)