By correspondent in Lokoja.
Musa Dangana and Yakubu Dangana, have been arraigned before the Lokoja Chief Magistrates’ Court on charges of conspiracy and negligence related to a tragic Kupa boat accident that resulted in the deaths of 19 passengers.
The prosecution, represented by Gabriel Otowu, on Thursday,informed the court that the incident occurred on November 29, 2024, when the defendants, joint owners of a commercial wooden boat, transported 60 passengers from Kupa, Lokoja, to Kacha Market in Niger State at around 5:45 a.m.
According to Otowu, the defendants failed to adhere to safety regulations by not providing life jackets for the passengers.
He further told the court that despite repeated weather warnings advising against travel, they proceeded with the journey, during which the boat struck a submerged log and capsized thereby leading to the drowning of 19 passengers, whose bodies were later recovered.
Our correspondent gathered that the case was brought to light following a report made to the Nigeria Police Force by Titus Adoga, the Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), on December 23, 2024.
Following a thorough investigation, both suspects were arrested and charged with negligence and conspiracy.
The two accused pleaded not guilty to the charges when it was read to them in court.
In response to a bail application by their defense counsel, Zakari Useni, the Chief Magistrate, Abdullahi Musa-Mopa, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100,000 each.
He ordered that the sureties required must be civil servants of Grade Level 14 or higher and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned the case to March 20, 2025, for further proceedings.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
