The 48-year-old driver, Abiola Odutayo, who allegedly caused the death of one Tunji Opaleye, alias Teejay, has been arraigned before Tinubu Magistrates’ court, Lagos, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
This information was communicated by Lagos State Police Command Spokesman, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, on Saturday.
The call for justice over the untimely death of Adetunji Opaleye, the Co-Founder and Chief Technical Officer, Bumpa, attracted the attention of Nigerians following a petition to CP Moshood Jimoh-led Lagos State Police Command.
Specifically, the call for justice for the deceased was also communicated to other concerned authorities, demanding proof that Biola Adams-Odutayo must be properly charged with manslaughter, not just a lesser offence of reckless driving.
In what appears to be a response, the police in a statement said the suspect had been charged to court and taken a plea.
The statement signed by CSP Hundeyin reads, “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, on behalf of the entire officers and personnel of the command, commiserates with the family and loved ones of Mr Tunji Opayele over the unfortunate accident that led to his untimely death.
“It is while in this sad mood that the Lagos State Police Command wishes to inform the general public both home and abroad that the defendant in the case of this fatal accident, Abiola Odutayo ‘f’, after conclusion of a discreet and thorough investigation into the case, was properly charged to a court of competent jurisdiction on a two-count charge bordering on the death of the deceased. For avoidance of doubt, below is attached a copy of the charge sheet for verification by everyone.
“It is statutory procedure that police actions terminate where cases are charged to court. Lagosians and members of the public are implored to allow the court processes and proceedings to be fully exhausted in accordance with the laws of the land. Everyone is enjoined to allow justice to be served in this matter, please.”
A proof attached to the statement sighted by CASEFILE is a charge sheet indicating the status of the case.
According to the charge, the defendant was arraigned on a two-count charge, bordering on driving in careless manner without due care and attention to other road users using the highway and caused the death of the victim.
Though the defendant pleaded not guilty to the offences, Magistrate M.E Owumi ordered that she should be remanded in the Nigeria Correctional Service centre, pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP.
According to the State Prosecutor, DSP Ben Ekundayo, the suspect committed the crime on the 4th day of March, 2025 at about 2220hours at 1004 Housing Estate entrance gate traffic light junction along Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District.
The prosecutor alleged that on the said day, the defendant being driver in charge of one Ford Edge Jeep with Registration No. LND 418 JR drove same in the public highway in an inconsiderable manner without due care and attention to other person(s) using the highway and thereby committed an offence under Section 50(1) of Road Traffic Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2018.
The prosecutor stated further that the defendant committed an offence under Section 50(1) of Road Traffic Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2018.
But she had denied the two count charge when brought before Magistrate Owumi.
Among the charges, she pleaded not guilty to, reads: “That you Abiola Odutayo ‘f‘ on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District being the driver in charge of one Ford Edge Jeep with Registration No. LND 418 JR drove same in the public highway in a reckless and careless manner without due care and attention to other road users and caused the death of one Tunji Opaleye ‘m’ aged 32 years and thereby committed an offence under Section 52 of the Road Traffic Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2018.”
Following her not guilty plea, Magistrate Owumi admitted the defendant to 1,000,000 Naira bail with two responsible sureties in like sum, the sureties must provide evidence of tax payments.
The Magistrate adjourned further hearing until April 16, 2025.
