Injured passenger from LASTMA attack demands N500m compensation

A woman, Rejoice Udoh, has demanded N500m from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, for an eye injury caused by one of its officers.

The 22-year-old Udoh was injured when a commercial minibus she boarded was attacked by the LASTMA official, Kehinde Sonoiki, who reportedly smashed the bus’ mirror over a traffic offence.

Fragments of the shattered mirror had then entered Udoh’s left eye, who was sitting behind the driver at the time.

Udoh was thereafter referred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, where she was admitted for treatment.

After the incident, the victim demanded that the traffic agency pay her a sum of N500m as compensation.

Her lawyer, Festus Ogun, in a letter to LASTMA, said Udoh sustained life-threatening injuries.

The letter read in part, “It is our client’s brief that on January 19, 2022, at about 6pm around the Jibowu area of Lagos State, your official, identified as Kehinde Idowu, for unclear reasons, recklessly, unjustifiably and violently broke the side mirror of the bus commuting our client, which immediately led to life-threatening injuries in her right eye.

“Our client’s eye was left bleeding profusely until she was later rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was rejected, given the grievous damage done to her eye by your official, and subsequently referred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, where she is currently receiving treatment”.

Ogun said the “vicious attack” on his client was a violation of her rights.

“Our client has suffered grievous damage, excruciating pain, mental agony, psychological trauma and excessive loss of sleep caused by her hurting eyes – a form of torture under our extant laws – all resulting from the injuries caused her by your official.

“In the light of the foregoing, we have our client’s instruction to demand and we hereby demand from you as follows: payment of the sum of N500m as compensation for the arbitrary violation of her fundamental rights,” the letter added.

The lawyer also demanded sanctions of the official and a written apology to Udoh, which should be published in a national newspaper.

In its reaction to the demand, the traffic agency invited Udoh and her lawyer for a meeting slated for Thursday.

The letter was signed by the Director of Legal, LASTMA, Kehinde Akerele.

“In view of your demands, the agency seeks your cooperation and indulgence to make yourself and your client available for a routine meeting to deliberate on all issues raised for an amicable resolution,” Akerele added.

Ogun said on Monday that his client would honour the invitation, adding that his demands were still valid, The Punch reports.

The victim also said that she was still feeling excruciating pain in her left eye.

“I am not feeling better at all. The eye is not healing,” she said, adding that she had another appointment with her doctor last Friday.