Happiness, You Have A Case To Answer-Court

 

Happiness Elebiju, has a case to answer over the death of 13 passengers in a boat mishap that occurred on July 29, 2020 on the Kirikiri waterways in Lagos, according to Justice Josephine Oyefeso of an Ikeja High Court.

Justice Oyefeso gave the order in a ruling on Monday on a no-case submission filed by the defendant. 

"I have considered the totality of the evidence deduced and I find that there are many questions begging for answers.

"The defendant indeed does have a case to answer. I overrule the no-case submission and call on the defendant to open his case," Oyefeso said.

Following the ruling, the case was adjourned to April 14 for the continuation of trial.

Elebiju is facing an eleven-count charge of manslaughter and operating a boat without a license.

Already, Five prosecution witnesses have testified during the trial and the prosecution had closed its case on Feb 4.

The boat mishap allegedly occurred at 5.45pm on July 29, 2020, on the Kirikiri  waterways, Lagos when the defendant's boat conveying 20 passengers capsized, killing 13 persons including two children.

According to the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mrs. Olayinka Adeyemi, Elebiju drove his boat, with the inscription “Mount Zion Transport” in a reckless and dangerous manner causing the death of some of the passengers.

Elebiju who was scheduled to open his defence on March 18, had on that day, filed a no-case submission through his counsel, Mr. Samuel Ogungbamila.

Ogungbamila had urged the court to discharge the defendant noting that the prosecution has failed to establish a prima facie case against his client.