The Governor of Lagos State, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday ordered the immediate prosecution of the truck owner and the driver that claimed the lives of nine persons at Ojuelegba area of the state.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, after receiving an interim report on the incident, directed the police to speed-up investigation on the matter.
“The driver of the truck and the owner, who are in police custody, must be prosecuted,” he said.
The governor also commiserated with the deceased families and prayed to God to console them.
He described the incident as one too many and showed the irresponsibility of owners and drivers of such articulated vehicles who under the law should care for other road users.
According to him, the Lagos State Government has zero tolerance for large containers that fall off trucks and injure or kill citizens, who are going about their lawful businesses.
“The Lagos State Government commiserates with the families who lost their loved ones in the Ojuelegba truck accident on Sunday.
“May the Almighty console them and grant them the strength to go through this difficult time.
“The identified victims are Miss Blessing Isioma, Abdurahman Okoya Sunday (M); Felix John Ifeanyi (M) and Olatokunbo Basirat King (F).
“The driver of the truck and the owner, who are in police custody, must be prosecuted.
“Ministry of Transportation and Nigeria Ports Authority should meet urgently to find a lasting solution to the menace of falling trucks,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu said that all the laws governing the operations of trucks and related vehicles must be enforced with more vigour and diligence.
“The state will ensure that the driver and the owner of the truck involved are put on trial for the needless death of our dear citizens.
“This, we hope, will send a strong message to all those who have no regard for other people’s lives that Lagos will not condone their recklessness.
“They must be stopped, with the strong backing of our laws, because their actions offend our avowed commitment to safety and decency,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the driver (Sodiq Okanlawon) and owner (Wasiu Lekan) of a container which killed three people on July 26, 2020 on Oshodi/Apapa Expressway, Ilasamaja were prosecuted and convicted on Feb. 28, 2022, and sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Oki.
