By Chidi Ugwu
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has described the conviction and life imprisonment sentence handed down to Okpara Kingsley Onyekachi as a landmark victory for justice and road safety enforcement in Nigeria. The judgment, 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, arose from a fatal road crash that claimed the life of an FRSC officer who was lawfully on duty.
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Olusegun Ogungbemide, Assistant Corps Marshal, Corps Public Education Officer, in a statement, said the fatal incident occurred on 16 November 2023 at Orile-Iganmu, Lagos State, while an FRSC patrol team was conducting routine traffic enforcement. Investigations revealed that the defendant, driving a 40-feet container laden truck at excessive speed, failed to exercise due care and rammed into a stationary mini truck that had been flagged down for inspection.
The violent impact crushed Deputy Chief Road Marshal Assistant Ajomale, a personnel actively discharging official duties, leading to fatal injuries. The Court found the driver’s conduct grossly negligent, reckless, and unlawful, rejected any claim of accident, and convicted him of Involuntary Manslaughter, thereby sentencing him to life imprisonment under the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Reacting to the judgment, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, mni, described the judgement as one that sends a loud, unmistakable message to all drivers, particularly operators of heavy duty vehicles that recklessness on our roads will no longer be tolerated.
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 as the entire Management and Staff of the Corps honoured the memory of DCRMA Ajomale, whose sacrifice stands as a solemn reminder of the risks faced daily by road safety personnel in the line of duty.
