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.….No compensation paid, as driver contemplates suicide
Adoyi David, a family man and Uber driver, never imagined that a routine encounter with Lagos police officers on January 10, 2022, would leave him permanently disabled.
His ordeal began when officers at a checkpoint demanded a bribe, despite his vehicle documents being complete and up to date.
Adoyi’s injuries were a direct result of the reckless and negligent actions of officers attached to the Ketu Police Station.
How It Started
On the morning of January 10, 2022, at approximately 6:48 a.m., Adoyi was driving from Ikorodu towards Victoria Island. As he approached the Ketu axis along Ikorodu Road, near the Divisional Police Station, two officers flagged him down. Aware that the location was prone to traffic congestion, Adoyi reluctantly parked as instructed.
One of the officers requested his driver’s license and vehicle particulars, which Adoyi provided. After examining the documents, the officer inspected the vehicle’s license plate and declared it fake. Adoyi explained that he had lost the original iron plate due to flooding in Victoria Island and had not yet been able to afford a replacement. He presented an affidavit and police report obtained to authorize the use of a plastic plate, asserting his legal right to use it.
The officer accused Adoyi of trying to teach him his job and ordered him to drive to the police station. Adoyi inquired about the offense, but the officer refused to answer, instead insisting he drive to the station. Adoyi, without money for a bribe, pleaded to be allowed to go to work.
While the officer was forcing Adoyi back into his car, another officer was attempting to stop a coaster bus approaching from behind. The bus driver, failing to stop despite Adoyi’s hazard lights, smashed Adoyi’s fingers in the car door, cutting and severing them.
The officers, realizing the gravity of what had happened, allowed the bus driver to leave and fled into the Ketu Police Station, leaving Adoyi bleeding.
Abandoned and Injured
Adoyi followed the officers to the station, where other officers dismissed the incident as a mere accident and told him to seek treatment on his own.
Bystanders transported Adoyi to the Lagos State Emergency Centre by 7up at the Toll Gate, where his fingers were stitched. He was then referred to Ikorodu General Hospital for further treatment.
Police Response and Lack of Support
After the initial treatment, Adoyi returned to the Ketu police station to speak with the DPO (Divisional Police Officer). The DPO initially provided only ₦20,000 for treatment.
Adoyi sought further medical attention at St. Rafael Hospital, where he was informed that his second index finger would need amputation. He then consulted Faith Specialist Hospital in Sango Otta, where a surgeon confirmed the need for amputation of the second index finger but offered to try and repair the first. The surgery was estimated to cost ₦750,000.
Despite the severity of the injury, the DPO did not follow up or offer further assistance.
Adoyi and his colleagues then met with DCP Bassey Ewa at the Lagos police command headquarters in Ikeja.
After hearing the doctor’s assessment, the police provided ₦600,000 for the operation and assured Adoyi that the matter would be investigated.
However, Adoyi has received no further updates, and the police have not followed up on the investigation, even after the doctor stressed the urgency of the situation.
A Life Shattered
Adoyi is now unemployed and disabled, unable to work due to the paralysis in his hand. He feels his life has been destroyed and is struggling with the emotional and financial consequences of the incident.
The car he was driving was under a hire-purchase agreement, and he had already paid ₦1,540,000 towards it. Due to his inability to continue working, the owner repossessed the vehicle, despite Adoyi having paid half of the total sum of ₦3,000,000. Adoyi is now struggling to provide for himself and has even contemplated suicide.
RULAAC’s Intervention
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has intervened, petitioning the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State to demand an immediate investigation and action.
Despite previous directives from the Commissioner’s predecessor, the investigation file is yet to be acted upon, with no steps taken to hold the responsible officers accountable or compensate Adoyi for his losses.
RULAAC, through Mr. Samuel Akpologun, urges the Lagos State Police Command to treat the matter with urgency, demonstrating a commitment to justice and accountability. The organization is requesting confirmation of the receipt of the investigation file, swift action on the recommendations made, and transparency regarding the status of the investigation and necessary compensation arrangements.
