A court in Benin has opened hearings into the fatal accident that occurred on June 27, 2025, at the busy IITA intersection in Abomey-Calavi, where a corn-laden truck ploughed into waiting vehicles, killing one person, injuring four others, and leaving a trail of significant damage.
The driver at the centre of the tragedy appeared before the court of first instance on Tuesday, July 15, offering a defence that has raised questions from prosecutors. He claimed the vehicle’s brakes failed suddenly just as he approached the intersection where several road users had come to a stop.
According to details reported by Bip Radio, the driver—licensed since 2020—told the court he had tested the brakes minutes earlier at a previous intersection without detecting any issues. “There was nothing unusual,” he stated. “The brakes worked just fine then.”
But his explanation failed to convince the prosecution. The presiding magistrate questioned the logic of a sudden failure occurring so soon after a seemingly successful brake test. Pressed for a technical rationale, the defendant admitted he could not explain why the system would fail so abruptly but noted that the truck was fully insured at the time of the accident.
As proceedings unfolded, the court issued a reminder to victims—those injured and those whose vehicles were damaged—to submit proper documentation to the insurance provider to begin the compensation process. For the family of the deceased, the judge urged the appointment of a legal liquidator to handle the forthcoming procedures.
The court adjourned the hearing until July 29, 2025, with the accused remaining in custody pending further examination of the case.
The collision has reignited public concerns over road safety and vehicle maintenance in Benin, particularly at high-traffic intersections such as IITA, where motorcycles and vehicles frequently idle in dense formations.
About The Author
