Uzoma : Court awards N100m against Naval officers

By Innocent Anaba

LAGOS—A Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, yesterday, awarded N100 million as damages to Miss Uzoma Okere,  who was assaulted by four officers of the Nigerian Navy on November 5, 2008.

Ms. Okere had sued Rear-Admiral Harry Arogundade and four naval ratings, C.I. Jeremiah, S.A. Bullem, S.A. Kaniga and Francis Okolaogu, for assaulting her for delaying them in traffic on Muri Okunola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, while on the convoy of the Rear-Admiral.

Trial judge in the matter, Justice Opeyemi Oke, also ordered  the respondents to write a letter of apology to the claimants, which must be published in at least four newspapers within one month of the judgment.

According to the court, “Miss Okere was brutalised, beaten, pushed, pulled, dragged on the road and her blouse pulled off her by one of the naval ratings thereby exposing her nakedness from waist up, leaving her with only the brassier. This was done to a young lady, a citizen of this country.”