Section 41: Coordination of investigations and remedial actions

(1) The Bureau shall have investigative priority over transportation occurrences involving civil aircrafts, rail vehicles, and marine occurrences.
(2) Where -
(a) an investigation into an occurrence provided for in subsection (1) has been commenced by the relevant agency, the agency shall discontinue its investigation, to the extent that it is an investigation to determine the cause of the transport occurrence; and
(b) it is required,
the Bureau shall authorise the participation of the relevant agencies in the investigation.
(3) The Bureau may collaborate with the Marine Casualty Investigation Committee and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to establish the cause of occurrences for the purpose of performing its functions under this Act.
(4) Where in the course of an investigation, the Bureau determines that circumstances reasonably indicate that the occurrence may have been caused by an intentional criminal act, the Bureau shall relinquish investigative priority to the Nigeria Police.
(5) The relinquishment of investigative priority by the Bureau under subsection (4) shall not affect the authority of the Bureau to continue its safety investigation under this Act.
(6) Where an investigation into a transportation occurrence under this Act is required, and an agency undertakes remedial measures with respect to that transportation occurrence, the Bureau and that agency shall take all reasonable measures to ensure that activities with respect to the transportation occurrence are coordinated to achieve the aims of the safety investigation.
(7) Where conflicting interests arise between the Bureau and an agency of government as to coordination of activities under subsection (1), the requirements and interests of the Bureau and any agreement entered into pursuant to regulations made under this Act, shall take precedence to the extent of the conflict.
(8) The Bureau shall take all reasonable measures to ensure that it follows the common investigation methodology, procedures and best practices in relation to the specific transportation occurrence as may be stipulated in this Act or regulations made under this Act and it is in line with any relevant international agreements or conventions to which Nigeria is a party.