A Lebanese, John Gerges, has been arraigned before the Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court for allegedly crushing three people while driving on Fafunwa Street, in the Victoria Island area of Lagos State.

Gerges was arraigned on Monday on seven counts of causing grievous bodily harm.

He was also alleged to have driven without a driving licence and valid vehicle papers.

The charges read in part, “That you, John Marck Gerges, on May 4, 2022, around 7am along Fafunwa Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, drove a dark coloured Toyota Forerunner with number plate, AGL547FY, in a dangerous and reckless manner, causing the fatal and grievous injury on one Omotola Akinsanya, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 245 of the Criminal Law of Lagos state, 2015.

“That you, John Marck Gerges, on May 4, 2022, around 7am, along Fafunwa Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, drove a dark coloured Toyota Forerunner with number plate, AGL547FY, without a driving licence, thereby committing an offence contrary to Item 1 of the Vehicle Inspection Service Law, 2018.”

Others also reportedly hit by the defendants are Onche Agada and Precious Oyechi.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Magistrate, F.M. Kayode-Alamu, granted Gerges bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties in like sum.

The case was adjourned till July 4 for trial. In a related development, a man, Kudus Hassan, was charged with the killing of a 29-year-old woman, Ego Ekeh, before Magistrate O.O. Ikobayo of the Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court.

The police said the defendant on March 16, 2022 in the Ajegunle area of Lagos caused the death of the woman.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The case was adjourned till June 26 for trial.