Background of the Incident
A ride-hailing company, InDrive, has reinstated one of its drivers, James Ogunsanwo, who was previously suspended for allegedly colluding with suspects to rob a passenger in Lagos. This decision came after public outrage over the company’s initial handling of the case. The incident sparked widespread debate on social media and raised concerns about the safety of e-hailing services in the city.
The Allegation and Public Reaction
Ogunsanwo was accused by a passenger named Itohan of working with a gang to rob her and a friend during a ride from Surulere to the Oshodi area last Sunday. Itohan shared her experience on X, where she called out Ogunsanwo and urged others to cancel rides with him. She attached a screenshot showing his profile on the ride-hailing app with the name “James Oluwatosin.”
In her post, Itohan described how Ogunsanwo pretended to fix his car while his gang robbed them. She mentioned that all the door handles, except the driver’s side, were broken, making it difficult for passengers to exit. Her story went viral, prompting many users to share it across multiple platforms. The post led to increased concern about safety during e-hailing trips in Lagos.
Suspension and Denial
Following the public outcry, InDrive suspended Ogunsanwo from its platform. However, he denied the allegations in a video seen by Saturday PUNCH. Ogunsanwo claimed that his car had developed a fault during the trip and that he had no intention of robbing anyone. He explained that he picked up the passengers from Bode Thomas in Surulere, heading to Mafoluku. While on the expressway, he noticed that all the lights went off, but the car continued moving. He managed to park near a streetlight and began fixing the car.
During this time, the passengers asked to leave, and he opened the door for them. After calling his mechanic, two area boys approached and demanded money from him. One of them later told the others to leave him alone. After fixing the car, he instructed the passengers to return inside, but Itohan did not get back in. The area boys kept harassing him, demanding N20,000. Itohan negotiated and paid N8,000. Ogunsanwo claimed that she transferred the money to them and that she later paid him N4,000 when dropping her home.
Public Outcry and Social Media Response
Ogunsanwo’s suspension led to significant backlash on X, with many users accusing InDrive of acting hastily and unfairly. They criticized the company for what they described as “a rush to judgment” and demanded that the driver be reinstated. Some users even threatened legal action if the company did not reinstate him.
An X user, Salako, said, “A ride-hailing brand that thinks it’s okay to sack a dedicated 4.8 rated driver over false allegations deserves to be cancelled.” Another user, ItsCletus, warned, “Kindly reinstate his employment within 24 hours or be prepared for immediate legal action.” Others expressed their frustration, stating that they would stop using the service if the driver was not reinstated.
Company Response and Reinstatement
After a preliminary investigation, InDrive confirmed the reinstatement of Ogunsanwo. A representative of the company, speaking to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, stated that both the driver and the passenger were contacted to verify the circumstances. The company found no evidence of misconduct by Ogunsanwo and lifted his suspension.
Union Criticism and Calls for Fairness
The spokesperson for the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, Jossy Adaraniwon, condemned the actions of app-based companies that suspend drivers without proper investigation. He emphasized the need for due diligence before sanctioning a driver based on reports. Adaraniwon also highlighted the importance of a roundtable discussion between union members and companies to establish fair standards.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the challenges faced by ride-hailing drivers and passengers alike. It underscores the need for thorough investigations and fair treatment of all parties involved. As the debate continues, the focus remains on ensuring safety and justice for everyone using e-hailing services in Lagos.
