Re: Surulere protests. A Thread

This morning, myself and the women who were brutalised at the Surulere protest were at the State Police Command. We were mainly there to attend the Orderly Room trial of the four officers who were captured on video manhandling the ladies.

We met with the OC Provost, whose office is overseeing their Orderly Room trial. The ladies recounted their experience and I recounted mine. They wanted the ladies to testify before the trial panel, but we insisted that cannot happen today and I will explain why.

I explained that there were more officers involved in the beating and dehumanisation of the young women. They must all be brought in to face trial and they acceded to this. Consequently, every officer on station duty on that Monday will now be tried for what happened that day.

From my understanding, sanctions range from leave without pay to demotion and outright dismissal. I have asked that the maximum punishment be meted out to send a strong message to the other officers.

Also insisted that the ladies cannot testify today cos recounting the horrible experience had stressed them a lot already and they were not in right frame of mind for such. Trial was adjourned to next week to include the other officers and to allow the young women testify.

I personally demanded that they receive financial compensation from the police. I believe it is not enough to say sorry, sack the officers and move on. These young women have incurred medical bills and are still doing so.

Specifically asked for it to be deducted from the remuneration of the erring officers.

We also got the assurances of the CP that no one will be targeted for their role in bringing these officers to justice.

Will like to end by appreciating the Rt. Hon @femigbaja, Gov. @jidesanwoolu, CP Hakeem Odumosu and the NBA President, @OlumideAkpata. They kept calling to ensure all was fine.

Shoutout to @adetolaov and @Mochievous for being superstars as always.

We will be back next week for the trial and further update will be provided. Thank you everyone for your good wishes and support.