Lagos High Court Sentences Truck Driver to Life Imprisonment for Killing FRSC Official
The High Court of Lagos State has sentenced a truck driver, Okpara Kingsley Onyekachi, to life imprisonment following the death of a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officer during a traffic enforcement operation.
The judgment, delivered on Tuesday, January 14, 2026, by the TBS Division of the High Court, concludes a legal battle stemming from an incident on November 16, 2023. The court found Onyekachi guilty of involuntary manslaughter under the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Incident
According to court records and investigations, the defendant was driving a 40-foot container-laden truck at excessive speeds along the Orile-Iganmu axis in Lagos. While an FRSC patrol team was conducting routine duties, Onyekachi rammed his vehicle into a stationary mini truck that had been flagged down for inspection.
The impact crushed Deputy Chief Road Marshal Assistant Ajomale, who was actively discharging his official duties. The officer sustained fatal injuries and was later pronounced dead.
The Verdict
Presiding over Suit No. LD/24692C/2024, the court rejected claims that the event was a mere accident. Instead, the judge characterized Onyekachi’s conduct as grossly negligent, reckless, and unlawful.
FRSC Response
In a statement released from the FRSC Headquarters in Abuja, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed described the ruling as a landmark victory for road safety enforcement.
”This sends a loud, unmistakable message to all drivers, particularly operators of heavy-duty vehicles, that recklessness on our roads will no longer be tolerated,” Mohammed stated. “When a life is lost due to gross negligence… the law will take its full course.”
The Corps Marshal reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to intensifying enforcement and prosecution to curb dangerous driving. He also honored the memory of DCRMA Ajomale, noting that the officer’s sacrifice highlights the daily risks faced by personnel in the line of duty.
