A Lagos State High Court, TBS Division, has sentenced truck driver Okpara Onyekachi to life imprisonment for the death of a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officer.
The conviction follows the fatal incident on November 16, 2023, at Orile-Iganmu, Lagos, during a routine traffic patrol.
The officer, Deputy Chief Road Marshal Assistant Ajomale, was struck and killed when Onyekachi, driving at excessive speed, collided with a stationary mini truck flagged down for inspection.
The case, filed under suit number LD/24692C/2024, was heard in the Lagos State High Court.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed hailed the life sentence as a landmark victory for justice and road safety in Nigeria.
He emphasized that the driver’s actions were reckless, negligent, and unlawful, and the court rejected any claim that the collision was an accident.
Onyekachi was convicted of involuntary manslaughter under the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
“This ruling sends a strong message that gross negligence, especially when it costs the life of an officer performing lawful duties, will not be tolerated,” Mohammed said.
The FRSC chief further confirmed that the Corps will intensify enforcement measures, support prosecutions, and collaborate with stakeholders to curb reckless driving nationwide.
He warned that all traffic violators who endanger lives will face severe legal consequences, reaffirming the FRSC’s commitment to safeguarding Nigerian roads.
