Fashola Investigates Soldiers’ Role In BRT Vandalism

The Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, has set up a tribunal of inquiry to investigate an accident which occurred on the Ikorodu Road, leading to the death of a soldier and the vandalism of BRT vehicles.

Fashola said the tribunal’s duty was to unravel the cause of the crisis and the role the military played in the incident.

The Governor spoke at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday.

He said, “The tribunal is to inquire into whether the act was committed by soldiers and if they did not, who did it and also unravel how and why the military officer died. Also, investigate what could have been done to avoid the incident.

“It will also be vital for the tribunal to provide answers into whether other people are behind the crisis. If Nigerians know what really happened, it will help to maintain the reputation of the military as well as cultivate the trust of Nigerians.”

Fashola, who described the Nigerian Army as a symbol of strength that had helped in many conflict regions in Africa, however, regretted that at the home front, some members of the military institution were diminishing its reputation.

The governor said he had received representation from the military authorities over the incident, as well as the bus owners, and he would forward the contents of the representation to the tribunal as part of its investigations.

He expressed optimism that the tribunal, which was headed by a retired Judge of the Lagos High Court, Justice Ebenezer Adebajo, would be able to conclude its assignment within 60 days.

Other members of the tribunal are Mr Nurudeen Ogbara, Mr Jude Igbanoi and Miss Oluwadamilola Kessington.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, in his remark, noted that Section 1(1) of the Tribunal of Enquiry Law, Cap T6 of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003, empowered the governor to constitute a tribunal with authority to inquire into any matter in respect of which in his opinion an inquiry would be for the public welfare.

A member of the tribunal, Justice Adebajo, after the swearing in, said, “We will do our best to arrive at a just and unbiased conclusion, and we will work within the time frame given to us.”