Court arraigns 35-year-old driver over fatal road crash in Ondo

By Boye Oyeyemi

A 35-year-old tipper driver, Matthew Iji, has been arraigned before an Akure Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly causing the death of two persons in a road accident through reckless driving.

The defendant was docked on a four-count charge bordering on dangerous driving, causing death by reckless driving, damage to property and driving without a valid driver’s licence.

Prosecuting counsel, ASP A. Jejeniwa, told the court that the alleged offences were committed on May 20, 2026, along Fasoranti Road, opposite Alagbaka Junction in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

According to the prosecution, Iji was driving a MAN diesel tipper when he allegedly operated the vehicle in a manner that endangered the lives of other road users and members of the public.

Jejeniwa alleged that the driver’s actions resulted in the death of two persons identified as Babatunde Michael and Alayi Kazeem.

The prosecutor further informed the court that the tipper allegedly collided with another vehicle, causing damage to property, adding that the defendant did not possess a valid driver’s licence at the time of the incident.

Iji, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The prosecution subsequently told the court that it intended to call three witnesses during the trial and requested an adjournment to enable it prepare its case.

Counsel to the defendant, Femi Adetoye, applied for bail, which was granted by Magistrate T.G. Alphonso in the sum of two million naira with two sureties in like sum. The case was thereafter adjourned until June 15, 2026, for hearing.