The Ebonyi State Police Command, had on Friday, arraigned a 33-year-old driver, Chinedu Nwonu, for the death of 24 passengers he was conveying in his bus.

Recall that the accused was the driver of the bus conveying 33 passengers who attended a burial in the Afikpo South Local Government Area of the state from Enugu State on September 18, 2020, and were on their way back when the bus plunged into a river.

The suspect was reportedly driving at a high speed, which led to the death of twenty-four of the passengers.

Nwonu was arraigned before a magistrates’ court on three counts bordering on murder and driving against the traffic.

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Chinedu Mbam, told the court that the offences were punishable under Section 27, Cap 548 of the Road Traffic Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as applicable in Ebonyi State.

The defence counsel, C. Mowong, pleaded with the court to grant his client bail on the grounds that the incident was not intentional, but Mbam opposed the application, citing the gravity of the incident.

Chief Magistrate B. I. Chukwu, admitted the suspect to bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety in like sum.

She directed that the surety must provide means of identification.

The matter was adjourned till December 2 for hearing.