FRSC backs life sentence for truck driver over officer’s death
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has welcomed and publicly supported a life imprisonment sentence handed to a truck driver convicted of causing the death of one of its officers while the marshal was on duty — a ruling the Corps says sends a strong message about accountability, road safety and the enforcement of traffic laws in Nigeria. 
The case, The State v. Okpara Kingsley Onyekachi (Suit No. LD/24692C/2024), stemmed from a fatal crash in the Orile Iganmu area of Lagos State on 16 November 2023, when a container-laden truck struck a stationary mini-truck that had been stopped for routine inspection by FRSC enforcement officers. The impact fatally injured Deputy Chief Road Marshal Assistant (DCRMA) Ajomale, who was conducting official duties in the course of enforcing road safety standards. 
After months of legal proceedings, the High Court of Lagos State, TBS Division, found the driver’s conduct “grossly negligent, reckless and unlawful” and convicted him of involuntary manslaughter. The judge sentenced him to life imprisonment under the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Both the court’s decision and the FRSC’s backing confirm that serious negligence resulting in the death of a law enforcement officer will meet the harshest penalties available under current law. 
For the Corps, the verdict was more than just punishment. In a statement signed by Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, the FRSC described the ruling as “a landmark victory for justice and road safety enforcement in Nigeria.” The Corps highlighted that officers who risk their lives daily to protect road users deserve full backing whenever they are harmed in the line of duty. 
How the Tragedy Unfolded
According to the FRSC, the accident occurred when Okpara Kingsley Onyekachi was driving a 40-foot container-laden truck at excessive speed along a busy Lagos highway. Upon approaching a mini-truck that had been stopped by an FRSC patrol team for inspection, the defendant failed to slow down or control his vehicle and rammed into it at high speed. 
The force of the collision crushed DCRMA Ajomale, inflicting fatal injuries that led to his death. The incident triggered an investigation that revealed the driver’s behaviour was not merely a tragic accident, but an act of grossly negligent driving — a determination that formed the basis for the charge of involuntary manslaughter. 
In backing the life sentence, the FRSC has emphasised the broader implications for road safety enforcement. The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, described the judgment as a clear signal that “recklessness on our roads will no longer be tolerated.” He noted that the ruling reinforced the principle that traffic enforcement personnel are public servants carrying out lawful duties, and that anyone who harms them through negligent behaviour must face the full weight of the law. 
https://ogelenews.ng/frsc-life-sentence
A Broader Message to Road Users
The FRSC’s support for the life imprisonment sentence highlights a growing demand for accountability and strict enforcement of road safety laws in Nigeria. Truck drivers and heavy-vehicle operators have repeatedly been blamed for a disproportionate share of road accidents in the country, often linked to overspeeding, poor vehicle maintenance, driver fatigue, and disregard for traffic regulations. 
In recent years, the Corps has stepped up awareness campaigns, enforcement blitzes and educational programmes aimed at reducing road traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities. The loss of an officer in the line of duty, coupled with this life sentence, underscores the human cost of road violations — not only for ordinary motorists and passengers, but also for those tasked with saving lives and enforcing the rules. 
For road safety advocates, the FRSC’s backing of the life sentence is an important development. They argue that when state institutions take a firm stand against negligent driving, it creates a deterrent effect that can gradually change driver behaviour. At the same time, it places greater moral and legal responsibility on drivers — especially operators of heavy commercial vehicles — to uphold safety standards and protect everyone who uses the nation’s highways. 
Context: Truck Traffic and Road Safety in Nigeria
Road crashes involving heavy vehicles have long been a significant public safety challenge in Nigeria. Investigations have shown that poorly secured loads, inadequate driver training, failure to observe speed limits and mechanical faults are among the recurring causes of fatal accidents involving trucks. 
In Lagos State alone, crashes involving container-laden trucks and other heavy vehicles have been reported frequently, with some incidents resulting in multiple casualties and widespread concern about enforcement of safety regulations. These accidents have placed pressure on agencies such as the FRSC to adopt tougher enforcement strategies to protect vulnerable road users and to minimise systemic hazards on major highways. 
Yet, until recently, few cases involving negligent driving that leads to the death of enforcement officers have resulted in the maximum penalties. The decision by the Lagos High Court to impose a life sentence — and the FRSC’s public support for it — may reflect a shift toward a more punitive legal framework for traffic offences, particularly where loss of life is involved. 
FRSC’s Road Safety Agenda Going Forward
In its statement, the Corps pledged to continue supporting prosecutions of reckless drivers and to work with law enforcement and judicial actors to ensure that perpetrators of serious road violations are brought to justice. The Corps also said it would maintain public education efforts, reminding road users that rules are designed to save lives, reduce crashes and foster a culture of shared responsibility on the roads. 
For families of DCRMA Ajomale and for the broader FRSC community, the sentencing and the Corps’ backing of it represent both closure and renewed resolve. The message — clearly articulated by the FRSC leadership — is that negligent driving that results in the death of enforcement officers or ordinary road users will be met with the harshest penalties under Nigerian law. 
As Nigeria grapples with the twin challenges of reducing road traffic crashes and strengthening the rule of law, this case exemplifies how legal tools and strong institutional responses can intersect to prioritise safety and accountability on the nation’s highways.
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/02/truck-driver-gets-life-imprisonment-for-killing-frsc-marshal
FRSC backs life sentence for truck driver over officer’s death
