By Femi Makinde, Port Harcourt
Published: Monday, 28 Aug 2006

The court, in its ruling on an application brought before it by wife of one of the victims, Mrs. Aleruchi Cookey Gam, stated that Borisade was not competent to carry out the investigations.

A copy of the ruling was made available to our correspondent in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Justice A.O. Faji ruled that it would be inconsistent with the rules of natural justice for the minister or his office to appoint inspectors of accidents to investigate the causes and circumstances of the crash since he and his office had been accused of incompetence.

He also restrained Borisade from receiving, acting or exercising responsibilities conferred on him by the provisions of regulations 7,8 and 9 of the civil aviation rule.

The court ruled that any appointment of inspectors of accident or directive by the minister to anybody or persons, including the Accident Prevention Bureau, for the purpose of investigating the crash should be considered null and void.

However, the court gave an order of mandamus compelling the Chief Justice of the Federation to immediately commence a public inquiry into the cause of the disaster and make appropriate recommendations that would prevent a recurrence.

A Sosoliso plane crashed at the Port Harcourt International Airport on December 12, 2005 killing nearly all passengers and crew members on board.

The plane which left Abuja for Port Harcourt was carrying, among others, 71 pupils of Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, who were going home on Christmas holiday.