Experience-hailing platform inDrive Nigeria has reinstated considered one of its drivers, James Oluwatosin, who had earlier been denied entry to his account within the wake a theft allegation made towards him by a passenger.
inDrive unblocked the motive force’s account after pressures from customers throughout social media platforms, difficult its determination to limit the motive force from utilizing the app with out investigating the matter.
Asserting the reinstatement of Mr. Oluwatosin’s account as a verified inDrive driver on Friday in an Instagram submit, the corporate acknowledged that its determination to reverse the motive force’s suspension adopted an investigation that cleared him of the accusation.
“Our group instantly reached out to each events to make clear the state of affairs. Following the preliminary assessment, we discovered no inconsistencies within the driver’s model of occasions and determined to maintain the account lively,” inDrive mentioned.
“Later we had been capable of fastidiously assessment her assertion. We discovered no clear proof supporting the accusations towards the motive force. In line with her account, the motive force stopped in a secluded space to repair a headlight, which made her really feel alarmed,” the corporate added.
The corporate suggested the general public to all the time think about drivers’ on-line rankings earlier than selecting rides as they typically displays correct details about them.
inDrive acknowledged Mr Oluwatosin’s dedication over his three years with the corporate as he already had a 4.83 score on the time of the allegations.
“Primarily based on the end result of our assessment, we didn’t discover affirmation of any misconduct by the motive force,” inDrive acknowledged.
Backstory
A passenger utilizing inDrive Nigeria wrote a post on X (previously Twitter) by way of her account, @Big_Itohan, on Wednesday, the place she alleged that Mr Oluwatosin connived with robbers to assault her and her good friend throughout a visit to Amukoko in Lagos.
She claimed the motive force pretended his automobile was defective, after which the robbers emerged and carried out the theft.
Following her submit, a number of different posts appeared on X, warning folks to keep away from his service.
“When you order a journey and also you see him, please cancel. He’ll fake one thing is incorrect together with his automobile and park so his gang can rob you,” she mentioned in one of many posts.
“All of his door handles besides the motive force’s aspect are damaged. You’ll be able to’t get out. I actually needed to climb out via the motive force’s aspect whereas he was pretending to repair the sunshine and was on a name,” the passenger added.
Since then, the submit has gone viral, sparking reactions throughout Fb, X, WhatsApp, and different social media platforms.
Driver’s response
Hours later, Mr Oluwatosin, denied the allegations, describing them as false and fabricated. He maintained that no theft occurred throughout the journey.
In line with him, his automobile developed a fault round Onipanu in Lagos and, whereas trying to repair it, some unidentified touts approached and demanded cash. He mentioned he refused to pay them, however the passenger selected to barter with the lads, finally transferring some money to them.
“My automobile broke down on Sunday evening, and I known as a rewire to repair it. Whereas we had been there, some space boys approached us and demanded cash. I requested them to let me end repairing the automobile first. After I was executed, they mentioned I needed to pay N20,000, which I refused.”
“I don’t know them and have by no means met them earlier than. The passenger obtained out of the automobile and insisted on speaking to them, attempting to barter in order that they wouldn’t rob us,” he added.
The motive force additional expressed his displeasure at inDrive’s effort in blocking his account, regardless of his first rate document with the corporate.
Reactions
Netizens throughout social media platforms argued that the inDrive driver has been unfairly maligned, together with his popularity severely broken. Some pointed to Mr Oluwatosin’s persistently excessive score as a proof that it’s unlikely he had conspired in any theft.
“Pricey inDrive. I used to be in a category of over 500 college students with my mates once we noticed the false allegation tweet towards Mr James Oluwatosin Ogunsanwo by one feminine passenger they usually all vowed to halt your patronage till you restore the harmless man’s job and defend his dignity,” mentioned Omo Akin (@GuyMr0), an X consumer, in a submit.
On Thursday morning, the Lagos State Police Command, via its public relations officer, Abimbola Adebisi, introduced it had waded in to resolve the matter. Ms Adebisi urged all events to current their statements additional for investigation.
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“The Lagos State Police Command is conscious of the extensively circulated submit and is inviting the involved events to come back ahead. The events could attain out to me by way of name or WhatsApp on 09055390070 for a direct link-up,” she mentioned.
Late Thursday, inDrive replied to the passengers’ X submit, saying its investigation revealed that the motive force is constant in his account of the story.
