Lagos Assembly passes bill to protect accident victims, prosecution witnesses 

The Lagos State House of Assembly has unanimously passed a bill to protect prosecution witnesses and accident victims.

The bill to provide for the rights and entitlements of victims and protection of witnesses and for connected purposes was endorsed on Thursday.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa presided over plenary.

The bill stipulates provision of assistance and protection to victims and witnesses who have vital information that could help ensure effective prosecution of cases.

Henceforth, informants will no longer face intimidation due to their cooperation with the prosecution or law enforcement agencies.

A part of the bill further states: “Every person, including security agents shall render assistance to victims of accidents or crimes and ensure that such persons are taken to the nearest hospital.

“A public or private hospital shall provide immediate and adequate treatment to an accident victim or any person with gunshot and severe injuries or wounds.”

The bill further stipulates a fine for any medical facility that fails to comply with the related section of the bill.

“A private hospital that receives accident victims with severe injuries or wounds for treatment under this section must inform the agency within 48 hours of admission.”

The hospital can then forward a request for reimbursement of medical expenses to the family members or relations.

In cases they cannot be identified or where the victim is indigent, subject to the approval of the request by a Lagos agency, hospitals shall forward records of the treatment the government.

Obasa directed the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to send a clean copy to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his assent.