Community seeks justice for late Dr Bob

Women at Iponri market, Lagos State have been trained on rights to demand free bail as contained in the criminal justice law of the state. Speaking at the Community Awareness Programme for Market community in Iponri, Executive Director, REPLACE, Felicitas Aigbogun-Brai, said their focus is on creating awareness on the right of women to stand bail and act as surety, adding that this law is a Lagos State law. On preventing free bail violations, she advised that citizens should know the law, be respectful, insist that bail is free and call their lawyer.

“They don’t need to know the technicalities of the law, just know that the law or ACJL says bail is free. Number two is to be respectful because we know our history with police abuse. Don’t offer money and call your lawyer. If you don’t have one, call legal aid counsel, they provide free legal services,” she explained.

In cases where lawyers and/ or law enforcement agencies extract money from culprits or offenders, Aigbogun-Brai advised that such officers or lawyers be reported to NBA or police force so the matter can be investigated and appropriate redress sought.

Founder, Build and Empower Children with Disability Foundation, Chineme Obeta-Irewole, said the advocacy empowers them to know their rights as women and especially for those living with disability, making it difficult for people to infringe on their rights.

“We are also here to know the disability rights and to educate other people on their rights too,” she stated. A market woman, Mrs Oshodi Lawal, recounted how she went to the police station for the sake of her daughter and insisted on free bail because she knew her rights.

MEANWHILE, Pitstop Lagos cycling and wellness community has commemorated the life of Dr Olaolu Mudashiru, fondly known as Dr. Bob, who was killed in a hit-and-run accident two years ago.

During a memorial ride on Sunday, the community honoured Dr Bob’s legacy and demanded justice for his untimely death. Founder of Pitstop Lagos, Aminadab Allen Adegboro, dedicated the end-of-year criterion to Dr. Bob’s memory.

“Dr Bob was a key member of our community, extremely disciplined with the sport, and a patron dedicated to cycling.

“Unfortunately, he passed on in the most tragic way. It is a no-brainer for us to dedicate our end of year criterium to him.

“He was a lover of the sport and a key member of the Pitstop Community.” A member of the Pitstop Community and survivor of the accident, Bright Emmanuel, expressed frustration at the lack of progress in finding the hit-and-run driver.

“It’s so sad, painful, and unfair. For two years, there’s no trace of the driver,” he lamented. A friend of Dr Bob, Ebiaho Emafo, criticised the investigative capacity in Nigeria.

“In other climates, you’d typically find the perpetrators within two years. It’s very sad that nothing has been found, and nobody has been held accountable,” he said.

The memorial ride featured a 30-lap race, with winners receiving cash prizes. Preye John Dede emerged first, winning N2,000,000, followed by Zakariyau Faruq (N1,500,000), Azeez Akande (N1,200,000), Deinabobo Johnbull (N1,000,000), and Odebiyi Azeez (N800,000).

The Pitstop Community’s tribute to Dr Bob celebrated his dedication and impact on cycling, and the community.