Court remands driver over death of five Osun varsity students

A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, yesterday, remanded a luxurious bus driver, Ibrahim Muntari, over his alleged involvement in the tragic accident that claimed the lives of five students of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) and one other in Ikire.

Mauntari, 35, was remanded after he pleaded not guilty to the eight-count charge brought against him by the police. According to the police, the charge borders on driving in a manner dangerous to the public, causing death by reckless driving, and violating traffic rules.

The Guardian had earlier reported that the incident involving the luxurious bus belonging to Silver Luxury Travels and Freight and a commercial bus with registration number OYO GHD 499 XA, occurred on March 23, 2025, in Ikire, Osun state, resulting in the death of six people.

The victims were Olagbemide Olaoluwadotun, Funmilola Mary Olawuyi, Ogundare Oluwapelumi Rhoda, OgundareAyomide, Farooq Suleiman and others whose names and addresses are yet unknown.

The University management had confirmed that five of its undergraduates died in the road mishap while one was seriously injured. The police prosecutor, Akintunde Jacob, told the court that Muntari drove the bus with registration number Lagos EPE 796 VH on the public highway in a manner that was dangerous to the public, causing the death of six people and injuring four others.

The defendant’s counsel, Shaibu Gomina, however, applied for his bail, which was denied by the court. In his ruling, the Magistrate, Olusegun Ayilara adjourned the case to June 2, 2025, and ordered that Muntari be remanded in the Correctional Centre.