Alleged Manslaughter: Lagos Boat Driver Has Case To Answer — Court Rules

A Lagos State High Court judge, Justice Josephine Oyefeso, ruled
on Monday that a boat driver, Happiness Elebiju, has a case to
answer over the death of 13 passengers in a boat mishap that
occurred on July 29, 2020, on the Kirikiri waterways.

Justice Oyefeso, in her ruling in the no-case submission filed
by the defendant, said: ‘I have considered the totality of the
evidence deduced and I find that there are many questions begging
for answers. The defendant indeed does have a case to answer. I
overrule the no-case submission and call on the defendant to open
his case.’

The matter has been adjourned until April 14 for the defence to
open its case.

Elebiju is charged with eleven-count charge bordering on
manslaughter and operating a boat without a license.

Five prosecution witnesses testified before the prosecution
closed its case on February 4. The boat mishap allegedly occurred
at 5:45 pm on July 29, 2020, on the Kirikiri waterways when the
defendant’s boat conveying 20 passengers capsized, killing 13
persons including two children.

According to the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions
(DPP), Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi, Elebiju drove his boat, with the
inscription “Mount Zion Transport” in a reckless and dangerous
manner causing the death of some of the passengers.

Elebiju had on March 18 filed a no-case submission through his
counsel, Mr Samuel Ogungbamila.

Ogungbamila had told the court to discharge the defendant noting
that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against
his client. The DPP had, however, opposed the defendant’s
application.

A Lagos State High Court judge, Justice Josephine Oyefeso, ruled
on Monday that a boat driver, Happiness Elebiju, has a case to
answer over the death of 13 passengers in a boat mishap that
occurred on July 29, 2020, on the Kirikiri waterways.

Justice Oyefeso, in her ruling in the no-case submission filed
by the defendant, said: ‘I have considered the totality of the
evidence deduced and I find that there are many questions begging
for answers. The defendant indeed does have a case to answer. I
overrule the no-case submission and call on the defendant to open
his case.’

The matter has been adjourned until April 14 for the defence to
open its case.

Elebiju is charged with eleven-count charge bordering on
manslaughter and operating a boat without a license.

Five prosecution witnesses testified before the prosecution
closed its case on February 4. The boat mishap allegedly occurred
at 5:45 pm on July 29, 2020, on the Kirikiri waterways when the
defendant’s boat conveying 20 passengers capsized, killing 13
persons including two children.

According to the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions
(DPP), Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi, Elebiju drove his boat, with the
inscription “Mount Zion Transport” in a reckless and dangerous
manner causing the death of some of the passengers.

Elebiju had on March 18 filed a no-case submission through his
counsel, Mr Samuel Ogungbamila.

Ogungbamila had told the court to discharge the defendant noting
that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against
his client. The DPP had, however, opposed the defendant’s
application.