The Ibinabo Fiberesima story

By Joseph Edgar . . .

This very beautiful lady has just lost her bid to escape jail following the unfortunate incident that led to the death of the amiable Dr Giwa. She was convicted of wreckless driving and causing the death of the doctor. She was initially jailed, with an option of fine by a lower court. A judgment the Lagos State Government found not acceptable and which it immediately appealed.

The higher court has upturned the ruling and sentenced her to five years in prison. This is really sad and throws the observer into a spasm of confusion. Where does your sentiment lay? The young mother of five who is obviously not a criminal and who in a twist has found herself in this debacle. A responsible citizen who as President of the Actors guild has contributed to the significant growth of Nollywood, or the hapless family of the doctor who today have lost a son and a father?

This is really sad. I have read pleas from both sides and the sadness is palpable. Ibinabo’s son wrote in a major plea stating that his mother is a responsible and sweet woman who would ordinarily not hurt a fly, Giwa’s sister has also wrote in praise for the judgment especially since the incident has deprived her brother from witnessing the growth of his kids.

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Daily, people get slaughtered on our streets, due to the bad roads, bad traffic signs and much more importantly poor emergency responses in these situations. Our roads are just death inducing monsters, from the huge craters, lack of road signs, protective barriers amongst others. If you have ever been involved in, or witnessed an accident you will know what I am talking about.

Ibinabo was accused of not acting at the scene. Those who did have lived to regret it because they are usually victims of touts and thieves who seize the opportunity to rob and maybe finish the work the accident could not finish.

To me the sad culprit here is our government. If things where done properly Dr. Giwa would have been alive. If there were protective barriers on such a big expressway, her car would not have jumped to the other lane and crushed another car. If we had effective highway patrol, speed breaks, speed limit enforcement this and many more such incidents would be minimized and not derogate to these very sad episode where we have lost a life and another promising one is in jail.

I remain sad.

 

 

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