Gross Negligence By FRSC Officials In Ajah, Lagos

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

ATTENTION -LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT

Dear Sir,

I wish to bring to your notice an incident that occurred on Sunday, December 4, 2016 in respect of the gross negligence, irresponsible behavior as well as breach to code of conduct in the delivery of service to members of the public. My experience with some members of the Federal Road Safety Corps (“FRSC”) is indicative of the lack of will to serve as public officers, despite taking an oath to do same.



Myself and my wife drove past Lagos Business School, Lekki - Epe Expressway, Lagos a few minutes past 11am on Sunday, December 4, 2016 and saw a man lying down on the side of the road, bleeding from the head and other parts of his body, with serious body injuries sustained from an accident. We slowed down and could see that he was wearing a white tee-shirt and blue jeans and there was quite a bit of blood on the ground around him. He was being assisted by a woman and a man, both passers-by, after being hit and abandoned by a road user. The accident victim was lying on a spot close to the CAT caterpillar depot along the expressway, after Lagos Business School, before NIPCO filling station and Readington High School. We cannot say for certain the man's condition, however he surely needed help especially from those with expertise handling accident situations.



My first reaction is always to stop and help whenever I come across accident situations, however, that only gets you into hot water with the police known to orchestrate matters and accuse you of being responsible for the accident itself. So we drove on to the FRSC office close to the accident scene (less than two minutes away from the accident scene) and I made a report at 11.13am to a female officer. The address of this FRSC office is: RS 2.113 Lekki Unit Command, Km. 33 Lekki-Epe Expressway, Olokonla, Ajah, Lagos.



The female officer I made a report to instantly expressed empathy and concern and said she would escalate the report to her superior, Officer Ebibi. I walked up with her to Officer Ebibi who was outside the office, where himself and other officers were engaging in discussion with a group of men, possibly other road users as well. She reported the matter to him in my presence, and Officer Ebibi simply dismissed me right away with a wave of his hand and said that I should go to the police station to report the accident, stating that it is a police issue and no concern of the FRSC.



As I walked away very disappointed, another Officer named Olaitan approached to ask what the problem was. I repeated all the details to Officer Olaitan who apologised for the conduct of Officer Ebibi and said that they would head to the accident scene immediately and handle it. Myself and my wife got into our car and left for Ibeju-Lekki to run our errand, rest assured that they would act accordingly. On our way back (around 11.58am, about 35 minutes after the initial report) we saw that the body of the accident victim was still lying on the side of the road, this time he did look dead. I could see his body better from a closer view. He sincerely looked like a broken doll, with broken legs and arms and injuries all over. We decided at this point to return to the FRSC office and take some pictures as part of follow-up report, and possible corrective action against the officers of the FRSC we had reported to earlier. We also decided to escalate the matter to the appropriate office of the FRSC Sector Command in Lagos.



On arrival at the FRSC office, we took pictures of the address and officers we had spoken with for evidence of breach of duty. The officers I met earlier and others were carrying on with their usual business of dealing with motorists on the road in front of their office, while the corpse of the victim laid just a stone throw away helpless. 

My wife remained in the car and took some pictures while I stepped out to take some myself. The officers approached me angrily and tried to prevent me from taking more pictures, and held me hostage from leaving the location. They said I acted out of place by taking pictures of them. Three officers, including Ebibi and Olaitan descended on me in a hostile manner, tried seizing my phone, which I fought hard against. As I made my way to the car with the officers trailing closely, my wife pressed the central lock and secured the car to avoid them gaining access.

 They blocked my car door to prevent me entering and leaving the scene. Officer Olaitan ordered Officer Ebibi to get a deflator to deflate my car tires. However, I struggled off their grip and ran to the rear door of the passenger's side, my wife then opened the single door and I jumped in and locked up. Thereafter, as I was trying to leave, they blocked my way. I revved the throttle so loud, and as I started moving, Officer Olaitan banged on my car bonnet and front door so hard, leaving dents on both.



My wife succeeded in taking some more pictures during the scuffle with them. The whole episode was upsetting and shows clearly our poor value for human life, even by the men in uniform paid for this sole purpose. Their negligence to duty and outright breach to their sworn code of conduct negates the seeming responsibility of public officers within their frame of work. Members of the public count on them for support and action in times of need, however, both officers; Ebibi and Olaitan deprived a man of his life when called upon. The functions of the FRSC amongst others include the following; "In particular the Commission is charged with the responsibilities for.......giving prompt attention and care to victims of accidents; providing roadside and mobile clinics for the treatment of accident victims free of charge". This sole responsibility Officers Ebibi and Olaitan failed to carry out, claiming it is not in their line of duty. I have attached photos of the referenced officers, their operational office location, the accident victim as well as my dented car for ease of reference.


I would appreciate this matter being accorded due attention, and would be available to further my cause of action against the referenced officers for proper and appropriate action. We all cherish the services and sacrifice of the FRSC team, and would never relent in sifting out the bad eggs from the productive. I look forward to hearing from you in this regard, Sir.