Following the death of a 300-level student of the University of Ibadan (UI) at a soap factory in Ibadan, the Federal Government has set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the incident.
Over the weekend, journalists in Ibadan received a copy of the letter on the inquiry dated October 5 and received by the managing partner, Abope Chambers in Abuja.
Richard Gbadebo died on July 28 after slipping into a soap-making machine at a factory owned by Henkel Nigeria Limited, manufacturers of WAW detergent and bar soap, and a subsidiary of Expand Global Industries Limited.
Managing Partner of Abope Chambers Femi Aborisade, acting on behalf of the victim’s family; the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond in Oyo State; and the International Lawyers Assisting Workers Network had on August 24 written to the Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige to call for the inauguration of a commission of inquiry into circumstances surrounding Gbadebo’s death.
The labour ministry in a letter signed by its director, occupational safety and health Nneka Adogu on behalf of Ngige said, “Sequel to your request for a commission of inquiry into the death of late Richard Gbadebo in a fatal accident that occurred at the above-named factory on 28th July and investigation of the accident by Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ibadan, a panel of inquiry to investigate into the fatality has been approved and set up by the Minister of Labour and Employment.
“Please, be informed that sequel to the directives of the minister, more vigorous and robust investigation into the death of the victim will be carried out on the factory premises by the panel. The date for the visit of the panel members will be communicated in due course.”
