Dana crash: Coroner issues Red Cross, Julius Berger, others bench warrants

Posted by admin Aviation, Headlines Friday, July 27th, 2012

Relief agencies and oil companies already invited to testify in the ongoing inquest into the June 3 plane crash in Lagos are to be issued bench warrant to appear before the coroner next week. A Dana plane MD 83 had crashed at Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos State, killing all the 153 passengers on board, including the crewmembers and 10 people on ground. Yesterday, Lagos Coroner, Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe gave the indication while responding to the submission made by Mr. Femi Falana (SAN).

Those to be issued bench warrant include the Red Cross Society, Conoil Plc, Julius Berger and Total Nigeria Limited. At the resumed sitting of the inquest on Thursday, Falana observed that some oil companies and rescue agencies that had been served with summons were yet to appear before it. The human rights lawyer also urged the coroner to order the Nigeria Police to investigate those people that died on ground, saying the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) only had responsibility to investigate the causes of plane crashes.

Following the submission of the counsel to the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA), Mr. Obi Okwusogu (SAN), Magistrate Komolafe and other interested parties also agreed to schedule appearance of witnesses. The coroner, therefore, directed that any of the witnesses who was submitting deposition should forward it to the court two days before the day of appearance.

With the schedule, Channels Television and AIT had been summoned to appear on Monday to show the video clips of the crash on the day it happened. Other agencies slated for appearance the following day (Tuesday) are Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Julius Berger.

Counsel to the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Maureen Tsenongo, that of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Mr. Babatunde Irukera and his Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) counterpart, C. Chiwete, are to appear before the coroner on Wednesday, August 1, Thursday, August 2, and Monday, August 6, 2012 respectively.

Further hearing into the inquest was later adjourned till Monday, July 30, 2012.

via Sunwp_posts