By Akinwale Kasali
After over a year of neglect of the case of Bamise Ayanwola, a 22-year-old fashion designer who was murdered after boarding a Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, in the State in February 2022, the Lagos State House of Assembly has stated its desire to renew its interest in the case.
In setting the ball rolling, the Lawmakers decided to invite the family of the deceased, related Government Agency and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, for an update on the case which has been in the court.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, said the issue which was brought up by Hon. Steve Ogundipe under ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ was worthy of deliberation.
Obasa commended the CDHR for bringing the issue to the fore, again, nearly two years after it happened.
“The issue of Bamise was brought to this House when it happened and I received the protesters, but at that point, the case was before the Police and the Court of Law.
“Unfortunately, the Judiciary is an institution on its own and we do not have the power to dabble into their activities. We cannot compel the judiciary but can only lend our voice by saying the people of the State are eager to know about the case.
“We need to invite the family, the civil society group and the agency of the government that has a role to play so that they can let us know how far they have gone.
“If we are encouraging people to make use of public transportation, then we must build that confidence that they are safe. All the buses on our roads must have CCTV cameras. Our new trains and terminals should also have. The essence of this is to prevent crime. Security is very crucial,” the Speaker said.
He noted that if in six months, the family of Bolanle Raheem, the lawyer who was murdered by a policeman, could get justice, there should also be justice for Bamise.
The Speaker thanked the Police for how far they have gone with the case involving the death of musician Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad.
Raising the issue, Hon. Ogundipe said the case had lingered for too long.
He said there was need to ensure justice was served as this would boost the confidence of Lagos residents in the government.
Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Noheem Adams, recalled that the CDHR and the family of Bamise recently protested to the House.
He said the about 500 protesters were promised that the House would act on their concern.
This is coming 24 Hours after Justice Ibironke Harrison of the Lagos State High Court had sentenced suspended Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, Drambi Vandi to death by hanging for the murder of Lagos-based lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem, who was shot dead by the trigger happy Police Officer on December 25th, 2022.
