A WINDOW INTO (IN)JUSTICE: UZOMA OKERE UPDATES

UPDATE: Ms. Okere just won a N100mn judgment against her assaulters. To learn more, click here.

Nigeria is an interesting place and there are interesting updates on Uzoma Okere's case. These updates raise serious issues that every Nigerian should be concerned about.

FASHOLA STEPS IN: Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, apologized to Uzoma, saying,

"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, well placed on the internet on what took place. I can assure you that our democracy will protect you, you will get justice....

Whatever legal assistance you will require, the state government will provide it for you. I will make representation to his Excellency, 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."

NIGERIA'S SENATE LAUNCHES AN INQUIRY: The Senate Committee on Navy has asked the Chief of Naval Staff, for an explanation of why his subsidiaries assaulted Uzoma. This was a reaction to a petition submitted by Uzoma's father, Sergeant-At-Arms of the National Assembly, Col. Emmanuel Okere (rtd), seeking justice for his daughter.

NIGERIA'S NAVY LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION: Not to appear inadequate, and because they are "sensitive to how the public perceived [it]", the Navy has not only ordered an investigation into the incident, but has publicly promised that anyone directly or remotely connected with the incident would be sanctioned if found guilty.

WOLE SOYINKA & OTHERS SPEAK UP: Interest groups like Project Alert, Women Arise, Real Woman Foundation and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) have all spoken about their outrage over Uzoma's assault. While Soyinka has asked for Arogundade's sanction (the Admiral whose men assaulted Uzoma), CDHR is demanding, among other things that,

"... Arogundade and his men, who are ratings in naval uniform, be relieved of their posts via dismissal from service for engaging in conduct that show that they are not fit and proper persons to be retained as officers and men of the Nigerian Navy."

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE...

I applaud Governor Fashola for taking this first step of offering not just an apology but pledging to use state legal resources and his influence to get justice for this victim of a brutal assault. The reality is that many other governors would not have paid this matter any mind. I also commend the Senate Committee on the Navy for stepping in, this action could be crucial, even if it be symbolical only, in preventing further shows of violence by the military on civilians. It is also good to know that the Navy has promised to punish anyone tied to this assault. If that actually happens and all those tied to the assault, regardless of rank or favor, are disciplined, that will be a significant deterrence of such behavior in the future.

NOW, FOR A DOSE OF REALITY

Unfortunately, I have my doubts as to Fashola's promise that Yardy will get Uzoma some justice. Considering the fact that Elendu is still forcibly in Nigeria (without charges) and might miss his appointment with USCIS, that Emeka Asiwe has seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth and that there are far too many other instances of infringed freedoms and rights in Nigeria, I can only hope that the President of Nigeria, or someone from his staff, will make the time address these human rights issues in this and other cases. This same skepticism applies to the Senate inquiry and the Naval investigation - will anything good come out of it? Only time will tell. But if history is anything to go by, I won't hold my breath.

QUESTIONS REMAIN

There are issues that continue to trouble me about this event and while I am glad that Uzoma is getting attention and will hopefully get justice, these questions remain,

1. what if the video had never been broadcast online, would Uzoma be getting this much attention?
2. what if Uzoma's father was not a former Naval officer and not the current Sergeant at Arms of the National Assembly, would the Senate Committee have moved so quickly
3. given the questions above, would the Navy have bothered to announce that they were investigating the incident? will they actually investigate and punish those involved?
4. what measures are in place for others who have suffered similar fates to have their assaults/murders addressed by the powers that be?
5. when are we going to hear from the President on these and other issues?
   

I continue to support the notions of justice, respect for human rights and constitutional freedoms. Until the answers to those questions above suggest that we are in the direction of protecting all Nigerians regardless of who they are, we will continue to hear about assaults similar to Uzoma's and maybe even worse. And, Nigeria's dream for democracy will continue to wither away and die under the heel (or gun butts or horsewhips) of injustice.

Related Articles of Interest:
- Uzoma Okere Won N100mn
- Confronting A Culture of Brutality and Injustice
- When Nigeria's Military Attack Citizens
- Chinyere Igwe: Reflective Of A Bigger Nigerian Issue
- Turning Away from Democracy
- "Free Jonathan Elendu Now!"
- Suppression In A Democratic Regime