Fashola meets with victim of Naval brutality

FASHOLA

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, on Thursday, said he would ensure that justice was done to 27-year-old Miss Uzoma Okere, who was battered by six naval ratings attached to one Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade, in Lagos on Monday.

Fashola, who said he was deeply moved by the unfortunate incident, was full of apology when he received the lady in his office on Thursday.

He also promised to raise the issue with President Umaru Yar’Adua, to ensure that justice was done.

The governor said the state government would provide her with every legal backing to ensure that she got justice.

The Lagos State governor said although he had not heard from military authorities, he did not think there was any act of provocation that could have justified the magnitude of what had happened.

Fashola said: “Even though this is not an act of the Lagos State Government, I will first of all apologise to you. Those of us who exercise authority in the state who owe it a responsibility to protect you have actually turned against you. I am sorry.”

”This matter has been brought to my attention by e-mails, and postings on the Internet on what took place. I can assure you that our democracy will protect you. You will get justice.

“I have summoned the Solicitor-General of the state and Head of Office of Public Defender, they will go out with you. They will continue to advise you. Whatever legal assistance you will require, the state government will provide it for you. I will make representation to Mr. President and all the reports I get from the Ministry of Justice, I will pass it to him. I am sure that he will do justice to it”.

The governor, who noted that though the wheel of justice might turn slowly, assured her that “this one will be different, I don’t think that any act of provocation could have justified what I have seen and of course, we need to hear from the other side on what happened.”