Accident: Court orders Dangote to pay N5 million compensation to deceased’s family An Ikeja High Court in Lagos on Wednesday ordered Dangote Nigeria Limited to pay N5 million compensation to the family of a man, who died in 2006 in an accident involving one of the company’s vehicles. Justice Opeyemi Oke also ordered Dangote to pay N100,000 cost of litigation and N71, 200 outstanding medical and burial expenses incurred by the family of the late Solomon Ajayi, Christiana Ajayi, wife of the deceased, had approached the court, through the family’s counsel, Dapo Opakunle, following the refusal of the company to compensate the family for the death of its breadwinner. The family had claimed that Ajayi’s death on Aug. 4, 2006 was as a result of negligence on the part of Malam Abdulmumuni, a driver of the company’s articulated vehicle with registration number XA 156 EKY. In her judgment, Oke said the issue for determination was whether the driver of the vehicle was negligent or not. The judge held that it is trite that the law of negligence is founded on the law of reasonable conduct in every circumstance. A duty of care is owed by the driver to the deceased. She said as a professional driver, Abdulmumuni, should have known that there was no way he would have been able to control a truckload of flour when he swerved off the road while trying to avoid the collision. According to her, this decision to swerve off the road led to the death of three persons including a police constable, Godwin Ewere; another motorcyclist and Ajayi, who was a pedestrian waiting at the bus stop. The judge also held that the company as the second defendant’s employer under Section 2(1) of the Fatal Accident Law of Lagos State was liable for the wrongful act of its employee. The claimants had in their writ of summons claimed that Ajayi (32) was the breadwinner of the family and left behind three children and aged parents. According to the claimants, the accident which occurred at Ketu Bus Stop on the Ketu-Ikorodu Road, was as a result of negligence on the part of the driver of the articulated vehicle belonging to Dangote Nigeria Ltd. They further claimed that the company had earlier paid them N50, 000 and sent them a condolence letter over the death of Ajayi who died as a result of injuries sustained in the accident. ............................................. Court adjourns suit against Intercontinental Bank"s directors. Traffic gridlock on Wednesday in Lagos stalled further hearing in a case filed by some shareholders of the Intercontinental Bank Plc. against some directors of the bank. The traffic jam prevented defence counsel, Kola Awodeyin from getting to the Federal High Court, Queens Drive, Ikoyi, forcing Justice Binta Nyako to adjourn the case till April 20. Awodeyin called his subordinate on telephone to inform the court that he was held up in traffic and would not be able to get to the court in time. He prayed the court to step down the case for sometime. Onyebuchi Aniakor, counsel to the shareholders did not raise any objection, but Nyako did not step down the matter but adjourned it. ............................................... Unemployed man arraigned for allegedly breaking into parked car The police on Wednesday in Lagos arraigned Mr Okwudiu Godson, For allegedly absconding with N200,000 belonging to her employer, a Gladys Onsakayi. The alleged theft occurred in 2008. Godson is standing trial before an Apapa Chief Magistrates’ court, Lagos, on a one-count charge of absconding with N200, 000, given to him by his boss, to pay into her bank account. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the one count charge of stealing preferred against him. The prosecutor, Insp. Benedict Unawunwa, told the court that the offence was committed sometime in 2008. He said the money was given to Godson for lodgment in his boss’s bank account but instead, he absconded with it. Unawunwa said with Godson’s action, he had contravened Section 390 of the Criminal Code Cap C17 Vol. 2 Laws of Lagos State, 2003. The Chief Magistrate, Oluyemisi Adelaja, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned hearing in the case till May 4. ............................................. Man arraigned for allegedly stealing cash, handset A 29-year-old unemployed man on Wednesday appeared before a Somolu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing cash and handset valued N84, 000 from a parked car. Emeka Obi was arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and damage before Magistrate B.O.Osunsanmi, but he pleaded not guilty. The Prosecutor, Asp. A. Adegoke, told the court that Obi and others at large conspired and stole cash sum of N69, 000 and one Sony Ericson handset valued at N15, 00 properties of Ugushie Odi. He said the accused and others stole cash and the items inside the complainant’s car that was parked on the roadside. The prosecutor said the alleged theft occurred on April 2 at the Potters House of Christ Fellowship, No.1 Anthony village Rd. in Lagos. He noted that the alleged offences were contrary to Sections 390, 451 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State. Magistrate B.O. Osunsanmi granted Obi bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till April 24 for further hearing. .............................................. 68-year-old in court over alleged damage and theft A 68-year-old housewife on Wednesday appeared before a Somolu Magistrates’ court in Lagos for allegedly damaging property worth N178,000. Janet Obasanjo was also accused of stealing property worth N32,500. She, however, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge of stealing, causing damage and breach of peace before Magistrate B.O. Osunsanmi. The prosecutor, Asp. A. Adegoke said that Obasanjo damaged standing fans, electric irons, shoes and handbags. Adegoke also said the woman stole an iron signpost, wooden hanger, clothes and bags. He said the property belonged to two women Motunrayo Enijuni and Peace Silas. The prosecutor said the alleged theft and damage occurred on Aug. 12, 2008 at No. 16, Ogunyemi St., Somolu. He said the alleged offences were contrary to Sections 249, 390 and 451 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State. Osunsanmi granted Obasanjo bail in the sum of 200,000 with a surety in like sum, and adjourned the case till May 6 for further hearing. ..............................................
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