FEBRUARY 22, 2013 BY ENIOLA AKINKUOTU LEAVE A COMMENT
Nkechi Omakagu, the woman who lost her pregnancy after being detained by men of Kick Against Discipline, an enforcement unit of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, has written the state’s Attorney General, alleging abuse of her fundamental rights.
PUNCH Metro had reported on Thursday that Omakagu lost her six-month-old pregnancy after being detained by KAI men for eight hours for allegedly violating the environmental sanitation law. The law prohibits movement before 10am every last Saturday of the month.
In a petition signed by her lawyer, Lekan Alabi, the victim said she had no choice but to go to her hospital following intense pains she was experiencing in her stomach.
The statement read in part, “We are not under any illusion that movement of the people is usually restricted during the environmental sanitation. However, in a situation of proving emergency like in Nkechi’s case, movement is permitted, particularly for people who are seeking health care.
“For it is people who are alive that can observe environmental sanitation. Having compounded the health challenge of Nkechi, the vehicle which would have been used to convey her was equally impounded.”
PUNCH Metro had reported that the vehicle, with number plate BT292EPE, was still in KAI’s custody.
The petition stated that all attempts to get the vehicle back had proved abortive as KAI had refused to arraign Omakagu and Emeka Ozor, who drove the bus for the alleged violation of sanitation laws.
The petition added, “We went to the Magistrate’s Court to make an enquiry from the prosecutor about when they would be arraigned for the violation of the alleged environmental offence. When we arrived at the court on January 29, 2013 for arraignment, the prosecutor did not show up.
“Up till now, the state has not prosecuted the suspects in respect of the case.”
The victims stated that the continued detention of the said vehicle had caused huge financial loss as it was being used for the daily running of business.
The victim pleaded with the state government to intervene and make sure that the KAI men were brought to book.
“We have grave reservation for the lawlessness and recklessness of the KAI officials who have taken laws into their hands in one of the civilised states in Nigeria. We urge your prompt action on this unkind and uncivilised conduct of the KAI men,” Omokagu added.
source http://www.punchng.com/metro/pregnant-woman-detained-by-kai-men-petitions-lasg/
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