A Lagos High Court has handed down a life prison sentence to a truck driver whose reckless actions led to the death of a serving officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), reinforcing the state’s hard line against dangerous driving.
The conviction followed a fatal traffic incident that occurred during an official patrol operation at Orile-Iganmu, Lagos, in November 2023, where an FRSC officer lost his life in the line of duty.
Court findings showed that the driver, Okpara Onyekachi, was operating a container-laden truck at excessive speed when he crashed into a mini truck that had been lawfully stopped for inspection by road safety officials.
Deputy Chief Road Marshal Assistant Ajomale, who was actively engaged in traffic control at the scene, sustained fatal injuries as a result of the impact, prompting a full-scale investigation and subsequent prosecution.
Reacting to the judgment, FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed described the ruling as a decisive victory for justice and a clear warning to motorists who flout traffic regulations.
“The court established that this was not an unavoidable accident but a direct result of reckless and negligent driving,” Mohammed said, adding that the defendant was convicted of involuntary manslaughter under the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Furthermore, the FRSC leadership stressed that the verdict underscores the legal consequences awaiting drivers whose actions endanger lives, particularly those of officers carrying out lawful responsibilities on Nigerian roads.
Mohammed stated that the Corps would intensify enforcement operations, strengthen support for traffic-related prosecutions, and deepen collaboration with relevant agencies to curb unsafe driving practices nationwide.
He warned that traffic offenders who show disregard for human life would face the full weight of the law, reiterating the FRSC’s commitment to protecting road users and ensuring accountability across the country.