Coroner court may strike out pathologists testimony on Dana crash

Aviation Nigeria

Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University and Chief Medical Examiner Prof. John  Obafunwa may have his testimony in the Dana inquest struck out on grounds of repeated absence from couurt proceedings.

The coroner, Mr. Oyetade Komolafe stated that Obafunwa's testimony would be closed and the court would proceed if he fails to appear in court.

“We will close that matter and will continue our proceedings,” Komolafe said.

The coroner also re-scheduled one of AIB’s consultants, Prof. Adekunbi Banjo, who had sought to refute certain allegations by Obafunwa, to appear in court on the same date with the Chief Medical Examiner.

The Lagos State Coroner court in Ikeja conducting an inquest into the crash had slated two hearing to cross-examine the pathologist and Obafunwa had been absent on both occassions.

Obafunwa who is a forensic pathologist had earlier testified on the probable causes of the death of the victims and provided the details of autopsy tests alongside the identification processes conducted on their bodies.

Counsel representing the Lagos State Government in the proceedings, Mr. Akinjide Bakare, restated on Tuesday that the Obafunawa was absent from court because of his 'University Duties'.

Although Obafunwa’s testimony has remained crucial to the inquest, Counsel for Dana Airline, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), who was set to cross-examine Obafunwa, on Tuesday expressed disappointment over Obafunwa’s absence from court.

He said the adjournments suffered by the inquest were avoidable, if the offices of LASU’s Vice-Chancellor and the Lagos State Chief Medical Examiner were not being occupied by the same person.

The coroner, Mr. Oyetade Komolafe, who had wished to conclude the proceedings within the week, was forced to fix July 3 and 4 for the forensic pathologist to appear in court.

In related development, Dana’s Director of Flight, Mr. Oscar Wilson, is expected to appear in court on Wednesday for cross-examination.

DANA Airline Emerges Best Domestic Carrier

By Yemi Akinsuyi

DANA airline has been selected by the Management of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) as the best domestic carrier of 2011. The airline defeated other domestic carriers based on their passenger capacity, frequency of landing and takeoff, prompt payment of their bills among others, which set it clear from the rest of domestic carriers in the country.

The airline was presented with the award during the FAAN Staff Award Ceremony of 2011 at the Domestic Wing of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja. Lufthansa airline emerged the best International carrier of 2011, as Sahara Energy received the Award for the best Oil Marketer of the said year.

Others who equally received awards include Alhaji Musa Garba as the best Concessioner; award for the best Hanger went to Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) and the Nigeria Air force was selected as the best Security Agency of the year 2011.

Speaking further over the procedure for the selection to newsmen, FAAN’s Regional Manager, North Central, Chris Batoure, cited DANA’s “passenger capacity, frequency of taking off, response to payment of bills and punctuality in their operation. If there were problems with the customers they keep time to handle them.

“These were their excellent service discharge and also the volume of passengers that have made them the best among all the domestic airlines,” Batoure affirmed.

On the reason for the delay of the ceremony and the recent accident, the Regional Manager disclosed that “we did not plan it that way”, adding that “all that happened is this, the award would have taken place early this year but we could not hold it. But in all the fairness, they did their best and we need to recognise and encourage them to get back”.

DANA airline station manager, Abuja, Kayode Adeniran, who received the Award for the airline, expressed gratitude to FAAN for choosing the airline and restated their commitment to maintain their on-time departure, regular operation and customer service.

“It is unfortunate of that incidence. It is not a deliberate action, and in aviation in the whole world you cannot rule out accident”, Adeniran said about the June 3 accident of DANA airline. He further stated for the first time in this country, “we went to all the families to sympathise with them” and expressed their unhappiness about the people lost in the accident.

Presently, DANA airline is on demonstration flight, after which NCAA will certify the airline to start operation, as it is with ICAO standard. Over 22 FAAN staff from various departments received awards, which saw Ahmed Zubairu Aramide emerged the overall best staff. The annual FAAN award ceremony is aimed at promoting commitment to duty and reward hard work and to also encourage and motivate staff to give their best.

Courtesy: This Day Live

Cause of DANA Plane crash to be unraveled soon - DG

By Lateef Lawal

The real cause of the Dana Air plane crash of 3 June 2012, in which over 153 people were killed will soon be made known devoid of speculations. Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren, disclosed this on yesterday while delivering a paper at the Nigerian Air Force Safety Seminar 2012, in Abuja. He said that the speculations on what caused the accident had been much, adding that:“We must wait for the cause of the Dana accident of June 3. We are professionals and cannot speculate, as we are working with the manufacturers of the aircraft and the American Accident Bureau investigators to unravel the cause of the accident, and very soon, Nigerians will know the truth.”

Speaking on the theme, ‘Optimizing aviation safety in a developing nation,’ Demuren said safety is not defined by the age of the aircraft, but requires air worthiness status, good airman-ship, effective safety oversight, operational environment and management of human factors. 

He regretted that most airlines did not have maintenance hangar and facilities for the routine checks and unscheduled maintenance, saying the only saving grace is the

Nigerian Air-force hangar in Lagos.

Courtesy: Nigerian Aviation News.