Boat Operator, Happiness Elebiju, was today arraigned by the Lagos State Government before a High Court in Ikeja for allegedly causing the death of 12 passengers while conveying them to their destination.
The passengers drowned after the wave of a ship sailing along the Kirikiri waterfront made the boat to capsize.
It was learnt that 20 passengers boarded the boat from Kirikiri to Badagry.
Halfway into the trip, the passengers disagreed with Mr Elebiju when he said the fare was N1,500 and they insisted on paying N1,200.
Elebiju was said to have switched off the engine of the craft by the waterfront due to the disagreement.
The wave then made the boat to drift towards a stationary barge, where it capsized, drowning 12 passengers.
Lagos State Government on Monday instituted a 10-count charge bordering on manslaughter before Justice Josephine Oyefeso.
Elebiju pleaded not guilty to the charges.
After the submission of the counsel, Justice Oyefeso adjourned the matter till August 27, 2020, for the commencement of trial and ordered the defendant to be remanded in prison custody.
(C) Control TV 2020.
