ETI-OSA CHAIR’S DEATH: ‘WE SUSPECT POLICE COVER-UP,’ SAYS NBA PRESIDENT
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has demanded full-scale and transparent police investigation into the death of its Eti-Osa Branch Chairman, Mr. Adewale Sanni, saying the current investigation suggests a cover-up.
In an address to the just-concluded NBA National Executive Council (NBA-NEC) Meeting held at Akure, NBA President, Mr. Afam Osigwe SAN dismissed the Police investigation into the accident that claimed the fiery Bar Leader and activist as shoddy and an attempt to shield the culprits.
His words: “Based on the available facts, the NBA is led to believe that the conduct of the assigned Investigating Police Officer (IPO), Inspector Babatunde Steven, coupled with the clear lapses in due process, indicates an attempt to shield those responsible and obstruct the course of justice.”
Stressing NBA’s suspicion of a grand cover-up, Osigwe said: “The lack of follow-up on leads, the failure to apprehend the truck’s owner or driver, and the inexplicable discharge of the Honda Civic driver all suggest attempts to shield culpable parties. These actions undermine the credibility of the police investigation and the justice system.”
He described Sanni’s death as “avoidable,” poking holes in several aspects of the tragic incident.
He noted that the ride hailing driver that rammed the Honda car into a stationary and abandoned truck on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos, a key eye-witness, “was discharged from LUTH without proper authorization or police clearance. The IPO has provided no information on the driver’s current whereabouts, further casting doubt on the integrity of the investigation.”
Osigwe noted that NBA has written to the Lagos State Police Commissioner, CP Ishola Olanrewaju Olawale, demanding full-scale and transparent investigation into the death of the Bar Leader, saying: “We wrote a letter to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to cause a detailed investigation to be conducted in this matter with utmost urgency and professionalism, as our members reasonably believe that this matter has not been professional (sic) and thoroughly investigated.”
CITY LAWYER recalls that Sanni was a leading human rights advocate who spearheaded many causes to protect the rights of the citizens, especially Lekki and Ajah residents. His fiery advocacy against the construction of the Lekki Toll Gate brought him on collision course with the Lagos State Government on several occasions.
On August 19, 2010 he sensationally led an early morning anti-toll gate protest that shut down the ever-busy Lekki-Ajah Expressway, as protesters blocked the expressway as early as 8 am to show their aversion to the planned toll plazas.
Then Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola visited the scene to calm the protesters, assuring them that the state government would look into their grievances. Sanni however dismissed the speech, saying it was not different from what the governor had told them during earlier stakeholders’ meetings.
His pioneering role led to the formation NBA Eti-Osa Branch. Osigwe had in his tribute hailed Sanni as an excellent Bar Leader, saying: “Mr. Sanni was a cherished friend and dedicated supporter. His leadership, which has laid the foundation for the Eti-Osa Branch, was purpose driven , with integrity, and service to the Bar.
“His loss is not just a blow to the Eti-Osa Branch, which he so passionately nurtured, but to the entire Nigerian Bar Association. The memories of his selflessness, professionalism, and excellence will remain a guiding light for us all.”
A highly cerebral senior lawyer and consummate advocate, Sanni received a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ibadan and a Master of Laws degree from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
Below is the full text of the NBA statement.
Mr. M.M.A. Sanni, then Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Eti-Osa Branch: We received with shock the the tragic and avoidable death of Mr. M.M.A. Sanni, then Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Eti-Osa Branch, who lost his life in a fatal road accident on December 12, 2024, on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. A fact-finding committee constituted by the NBA Eti-Osa Branch has uncovered deeply troubling irregularities in the investigation being conducted by the police. These revelations not only undermine the integrity of the police investigation but also risk eroding public trust in the ability of law enforcement to deliver justice. Based on the available facts, the NBA is led to believe that the conduct of the assigned Investigating Police Officer (IPO), Inspector Babatunde Steven, coupled with the clear lapses in due process, indicates an attempt to shield those responsible and obstruct the course of justice.
Troubling Findings and Irregularities:
a. Negligence in Identifying the Truck Owner and Driver: The NBA Eti-Osa fact-finding committee in company of the IPO, inspected the MACK truck revealing documents in the driver’s cabin linking it to past haulage operations, including Equipment Interchange Receipts and Terminal Delivery Orders containing the names of drivers and registration details. This directly contradicts the IPO’s claim of difficulty identifying the truck’s owner. This failure to act on clear evidence raises serious concerns about deliberate negligence.
b. Unlawful Discharge of the Honda Civic Driver: The driver of the late Chairman, who was a key witness, was discharged from LUTH without proper authorization or police clearance. The IPO has provided no information on the driver’s current whereabouts, further casting doubt on the integrity of the investigation.
c. Perceived Attempts at a Cover-Up: The lack of follow-up on leads, the failure to apprehend the truck’s owner or driver, and the inexplicable discharge of the Honda Civic driver all suggest attempts to shield culpable parties. These actions undermine the credibility of the police investigation and the justice system.
d. Systemic Failures in Emergency Medical Care: Mr. Sanni’s death was compounded by systemic failures in healthcare. Both Gbagada General Hospital and the Accident and Emergency Centre refused to treat him due to an industrial strike. Such lapses in emergency medical response are unconscionable and must be addressed urgently.
We wrote a letter to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to cause a detailed investigation to be conducted in this matter with utmost urgency and professionalism, as our members reasonably believe that this matter has not been professional (sic) and thoroughly investigated. It is also suggested that we consider bringing legal action against the hospital that refused to give our dear departed colleague immediate medical attention that may have saved his life. Action may also be considered against the Police about the handling of the investigation into the recklessly abandoned truck that caused Mr. Sanni’s death.
The full text of the NBA-NEC Executive Report is below.
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