Alleged Negligence: Court Adjourns Case Against Two Boat Operators
From Our Correspondent in Lokoja.
A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lokoja has adjourned a case of alleged negligence against two boat operators until May 26.
The Kogi Police Command, through its National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) wing, has charged Musa Dangana and Yakubu Dangana, both residents of Lokoja, with conspiracy and negligence that led to a boat accident resulting in the deaths of 19 out of 60 passengers.
The police accused the defendants, who jointly own a commercial wooden boat, of transporting 60 passengers from the Kupa area of Lokoja Local Government Area to Katcha Market in Niger State on November 29, 2024, without providing life jackets or considering the weather conditions.
They allegedly failed to exercise due caution despite several warnings against traveling at night and without life jackets, which contributed to the loss of life.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty.
When the case was presented for further mention before Chief Magistrate Abdullahi Musa-Mopa, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Ubana Ibi, informed the court that the police investigation into the case had been completed.
Ibi stated that the prosecution was seeking a date for a proper trial. “My Lord, we have concluded our investigation. We request a date to enable us to present our case properly for hearing,” he said.
The defense counsel, Mr. Zakari Useni, did not object to the request for adjournment but expressed that they had not received the necessary materials to prepare their defense for the next hearing. “My Lord, while we do not object to the prosecution’s application, we need the relevant materials to file our defense appropriately,” he stated.
Chief Magistrate Musa-Mopa ordered the prosecution to provide all necessary case materials to the defense to ensure they could prepare adequately for the next adjourned date. The court then adjourned the case until May 26 for hearing.
(NAN)
