February 6, 2026 l By Dalena Reporters
LAGOS, Nigeria — A Lagos State High Court has sentenced a truck driver to life imprisonment for causing the death of a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officer in a traffic collision, after finding him guilty of negligent and dangerous driving that led to the fatal incident, court officials confirmed on Friday.
The driver identified as Adebayo O. — was convicted for his role in a 2024 crash in which his articulated vehicle struck and crushed an FRSC officer who was on duty at the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. The officer, whose identity was withheld in court records for privacy reasons, died as a result of the collision.
During proceedings, the prosecution argued that the defendant had been operating the heavy vehicle in a reckless manner, failing to maintain proper control and ignoring safety measures conduct that the judge described as a disregard for human life and public safety. After reviewing evidence and testimony, the court found the driver guilty of culpable homicide, a charge reflecting negligent conduct resulting in the loss of life.
Delivering judgment, the presiding judge emphasised that road-safety officers play a vital role in protecting Nigerians and that attacks or accidents involving deliberate negligence should attract severe punishment to deter future incidents. The judge held that the truck driver’s actions met the legal standard for a life sentence under Nigerian law, given the severity of the outcome.
The convict is also expected to serve additional penalties including licence revocation and forfeiture of his vehicle as part of the judgment, though the exact details of these supplementary sanctions will be determined by enforcement agencies. Legal experts say such measures complement custodial sentences by restricting future risk to public safety.
Family members of the deceased FRSC officer attended the proceedings and welcomed the sentence, saying it underscored the seriousness of their loved one’s service. “He was doing his duty to keep motorists safe,” a relative said. “We hope this sentence reminds drivers everywhere of their responsibilities.”
Representatives of the FRSC commended the court’s ruling, noting that enforcement officers often face daily dangers on Nigerian roads and that strong legal consequences for negligent behaviour reinforce respect for traffic safety and law-abiding operation of heavy vehicles.
Road-safety advocacy groups have long called for tougher enforcement and sentencing in cases where reckless driving leads to loss of life. They argued that consistent application of the law is critical to reducing road crashes, which remain a major cause of fatalities on Nigerian highways each year.
As the convict begins his life sentence, authorities reiterated campaigns aimed at improving driver training, compliance with traffic rules, and awareness of the risks associated with oversized and heavy vehicles on major expressways.