Truck driver gets life imprisonment for killing FRSC marshal

By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has described the conviction and life imprisonment sentence given to truck driver, Okpara Kingsley Onyekachi, for killing an officer on duty as a landmark victory for justice and road safety enforcement in Nigeria.

In a press statement signed by the Corps Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Thursday night, the Corps said the judgment was delivered on Tuesday, 14 January 2026, by the High Court of Lagos State, TBS Division, in Suit No. LD/24692C/2024, The State v. Okpara Kingsley Onyekachi.

The FRSC said the case arose from a fatal road crash that claimed the life of a Deputy Chief Road Marshal Assistant Ajomale, who was lawfully on duty during a routine traffic enforcement in Orile Iganmu area of Lagos State.

According to the Corps, the incident occurred on 16 November 2023, when an FRSC patrol team was conducting routine traffic enforcement and had flagged down a mini truck for inspection.

Investigations, FRSC said, revealed that the defendant, who was driving a 40 feet container laden truck at excessive speed, failed to exercise due care and rammed into the stationary mini truck.

The Corps said the violent impact crushed DCRMA Ajomale, leading to fatal injuries, while he was actively discharging official duties.

FRSC said the court found the driver’s conduct “grossly negligent, reckless, and unlawful,” rejected any claim of accident and convicted him of involuntary manslaughter.

It added that the court sentenced the driver to life imprisonment under the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Reacting, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, said the judgment “sends a loud, unmistakable message to all drivers, particularly operators of heavy-duty vehicles that recklessness on our roads will no longer be tolerated.”

He said, “When a life is lost due to gross negligence, especially the life of an officer on lawful duty, the law will take its full course, and the Corps will continue to pursue justice relentlessly for every fallen officer and every innocent road user.”

The Corps Marshal further emphasised that FRSC will intensify enforcement, prosecution support, and stakeholder collaboration to curb dangerous driving behaviours.

He warned that drivers who disregard traffic regulations and endanger lives of innocent road users should expect severe legal consequences, adding that FRSC will not relent in its commitment to safeguarding Nigerian roads.

The FRSC said the entire management and staff of the corps honoured the memory of DCRMA Ajomale, describing his sacrifice as a solemn reminder of the risks faced daily by road safety personnel in the line of duty.

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