The Tribunal of Inquiry into a road traffic accident and the consequent arson and vandalism of buses of the Bus Rapid Transit at Palm Grove in Lagos on July 4, 2014 has been constituted to deliver justice, and not to witch-hunt.[slideshow_link align="right"]35043[/slideshow_link]
The chairman of the panel, Honourable Justice Ebenezer Adebajo, gave this assurance at the inaugural sitting today at the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa.
The accident triggered a bedlam on Ikorodu Road, a major artery into Lagos.
Justice Adebajo stressed that the tribunal has the responsibility for “recommendations to prevent future occurrence of incidence of the nature of the mayhem that pervaded public place.”
In that regard, he asked all those who witnessed the happenings of that day to come forward, promising confidentially wherever it is requested.
The judge also gave assurance of “fairness” to everyone or group of persons with special interest in the work of the tribunal.
[slideshow]35043[/slideshow]In his remarks, the Managing Director of the Lagos Metroplitan Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mr. Dayo Mobereola, further stressed “thorough investigations will be made by the tribunal so such occurrence will not re-occur again in the history of Nigeria.”
Also speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Adetunji, the Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Ikorodu Branch, implored members of the public to come out courageously to testify at the tribunal.
But Richard Akinola, a lawyer, observed that although he has implicit confidence in the members of the tribunal, it was not incorrect that officers of LAMATA and the Lagos Bus Rapid Transit System were sitting at the high table with the members of the tribunal.
He further noted the absence of the Nigerian Army, a major party to the hearing, wondering if they were not invited and if invited, why they were not part of the gathering, particularly against the background of previous mayhem in Lagos in the past.
In that regard, he recalled the burning of the Kalakuta Republic of Fela Anikulapo Kuti in 1977, an inquiry of which had indicted unknown soldiers. “If any soldier is culpable they need to be identified,” he said.
Akinola also recalled an incident at the Barracks police station in Ojulegba which was burnt down during a clash between members of the police force and the army.
With that background in mind, he charged the tribunal to identify who the responsible parties in the current investigation. “A driver was alleged to have killed a soldier and if at the end of this inquiry that driver was found to be negligent, a recommendation should be made that that person be prosecuted for manslaughter,” he asserted.
In his reaction, Justice Adebajo said that Brigadier Gen. Lubor of the 9th brigade commander at the Ikeja Cantonment had assured that he would be at the tribunal, and that the Chief of Army staff had in a telephone conversation also given the assurance that they will be part of the tribunal.
It will be recalled that the Nigerian Army, through a spokesperson, Olajide Olaleye, had denied that its officers were responsible for the mayhem, and instead blamed it on “area boys”.
Among other things, the government is asking the tribunal:
To inquire into the road traffic accident involving a soldier motor cyclist and a driver of a BRT bus as well as subsequent events at Maryland Ikorodu Road on 4th July 2014
To ascertain the cause and actual location of the accident whether on or off the BRT lane and the type and the condition of the vehicles involved
To determine whether the late soldier or bus driver were in breach of the law
To determine the extent of vandalism, arson, looting and harassment of innocent citizens that followed and identify the persons responsible or involved.
To make appropriate recommendations to prevent future occurrence in the incidence of this nature
To present any other observations and recommendations to the state government as it may consider appropriate.