The Lagos State Government has announced plans to prosecute the owner and driver of the fuel tanker which exploded last Thursday on Otedola Bridge inward Ojodu Berger along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, killing 10 people and destroying cars.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists after the Security Council Meeting chaired by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem, had over the weekend written to Mr Edgal to advise him on the relevant provisions of the law that could guide the ongoing investigation which would lead to possible prosecution.
Confirming receipt of the letter, the police boss said investigations into the incident were ongoing, saying that government would not allow vehicles that pose serious danger to residents on the road.
Edgal, who briefed journalists alongside heads of other security agencies in the state, specifically commiserated with those who lost their loved ones to the tragic incident, while also commending emergency responders who quickly raced to the scene to keep the causality figure low.
“As regards investigation into the matter, it is in top gear. I have just received a letter from the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice which stated very clearly charges which we are going to prefer against the driver and the owner of that tanker.
“Henceforth, we are using this opportunity to call on all tanker drivers, all lorry drivers, all owners of such articulated vehicles to please submit those vehicles for Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) test; they must go through the entire hub and get the Ministry of Transportation (MOT) Certificate of Road Worthiness. We will not allow such vehicles which obviously pose serious danger to other road users on our roads,” Edgal said.
He said government had already directed security agencies to intensify enforcement of relevant laws, especially the State Traffic Law, with the view to ensuring that the roads and highways in the State were safe for commuters to ply without any danger.
Edgal also urged residents to always refrain from converging on the scene of an accident of such magnitude as that of the unfortunate tanker fire incident, saying there could be a secondary explosion which could lead to loss of lives.
