The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), says it will collaborate with the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) towards filing civil action against recalcitrant drivers and their employers whose bad road use culture results in road traffic injuries and fatalities.
The partnership was sealed during a working visit of the Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu, to the President, NBA, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, in Abuja.
The Corps disclosed this on Tuesday in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Bisi Kazeem, in Abuja.
Kazeem quoted the Corps Marshal as saying that the partnership is in pursuance to the concerted efforts already in place, adding that it is also to ensure that victims of road crashes are duly compensated through established legal processes.
He said “There is the need to bring to an end the current reign of impunity on the road, by ensuring that any driver whose actions or inactions lead to loss of lives or injuries of other road users is made to face the wrath of the law.”
According to the statement, Biu beckoned on the NBA President to play a proactive role by constituting a team of legal luminaries that would help stem this dangerous tide through filing of civil actions against those drivers and their employers.
He called for the assistance of the NBA in reshaping the erroneous position of some States Judiciary that the FRSC lacks the powers to operate on state roads.
He added that some High Courts, in a number of states, had passed judgment to that effect against the Corps.
Responding, the NBA President lauded the gesture and reaffirmed the readiness of the association to partner with the Corps in that regard, saying that it is for the interest of the entire nation.
Maikyau assured the Corps Marshal that the 125 branches of the association would be directed to key into the partnership to ensure the smooth handling of the cases as applicable.
He directed the immediate constitution of a committee that will be responsible to carry out the obligation of bringing justice to victims of road crashes.
The NBA President assured that he would liaise with the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chief Justice of the Federation, as well as all Heads of Courts to ensure that the erroneous position is corrected.
According to him, road traffic crashes does not have jurisdiction and can occur on all roads if not adequately prevented.
Maikyau, however, granted the inclusion of FRSC lawyers in such committees.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Committee which is to be headed by Mr O. A. Sule, SAN, has the Association’s Branch Chairmen of Suleja, Gwagwalada, Keffi, Bwari, Kwali and Abuja Municipal Area as members of the Committee.
Other members of the committee are the Corps Legal Adviser and selected FRSC legal team.
Part of the reason for the visit to the NBA headquarters was to leverage on the national reach of the reputable and noble association for swift prosecution, and adequate compensation of victims.
