'Soldier Deserves Punishment'

Erstwhile ‘Ewi†exponent turned businessman, Mr. Olusesan James Adewusi, a.k.a. Tantolorun, has observed that the errant soldier who caused commotion by driving on the BRT lane in his car, Corporal Sunday Ayodeji, deserved the punishment meted to him by the Nigerian Army.

On 23 June, 2011, Ayodeji flouted the traffic law of Lagos state by driving his car on the lane reserved for the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, along Ikorodu Road, Lagos state, Southwest, Nigeria.

When the soldier was arrested by traffic officials, he engaged them in a scuffle and prevented the removal of his vehicle form the lane.

The Army authorities responded swiftly the following day when they dismissed him from service. He was also handed over to the Police for prosecution. He has since been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrateâ€s Court for trial.

Commenting on the soldier’s dismissal, Adewusi said the authorities deserve commendation for demonstrating that nobody is above the law.

He submitted that the dismissal of the soldier would serve as a warning to other indisciplined soldiers that the Nigerian Army is not for lawless men who see themselves as being above the law.

He appealed to the police authorities to also learn from the army by bringing erring policemen to book.

He recalled the alleged shooting of a man by a dismissed police officer, adding that the culprit should have been made to face the wrath of the law.

Adewusi reasoned that the action taken by the Army authorities would prevent future clashes between soldiers and the police and members of the public.