In February 2021, SaharaReporters reported that a Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo awarded N5 million in damages against the Police Force and the Inspector General of Police over the assault of Azeez, in Osun State.
A Nigerian woman, identified as Tolu Azeez, who was assaulted during the COVID-19 lockdown by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force has revealed she is yet to receive the N5 million in damages awarded to her by the court.
In February 2021, SaharaReporters reported that a Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo awarded N5 million in damages against the Police Force and the Inspector General of Police over the assault of Azeez, in Osun State.
A video of the officers assaulting the young lady went viral during the lockdown in April 2020.
In the video, Azeez was walking around Odo Ori Market in Iwo, to buy a drug for a relation when the officers who were enforcing the lockdown, descended on her and flogged her mercilessly with whips.
The state police command had reportedly identified and arrested the erring officers, an inspector, Ikuesan Taiwo and Abass Ibrahim, a corporal.
Speaking with Daily Post, Tola Azeez said more than one year after the ruling, she has not got a dime as compensation and the Nigeria Police have not deemed fit to tender an apology to her nor did the Force appeal the court judgement.
She said, "A lot has been happening since then. You know I had to relocate because of what happened. After relocating, it was very difficult setting myself up in Ibadan. I thought when I collect the compensation, things will be better but up until this moment, I have not gotten anything."
"I remembered there was a time I received a call shortly after the police officers who assaulted me were dismissed, asking me why I allowed them to be dismissed. I replied to the caller that it was not my decision to have them sacked and that it was the Nigeria Police who had them dismissed.
"It affected me greatly. The fact that I had to change base abruptly. It affected my business greatly. It also affected my family in a way that I may not share here. Till date I am yet to get over the situation.
"Meanwhile, my relationship with the police and other security agencies has not been affected in any way. During that period and even after, I met great policemen and policewomen who go about their duties diligently."
When she was asked about the steps taken so far to ensure the enforcement or the court judgement, she said, "Well, I have so much faith in my lawyer, Barrister Pelumi Olajengbesi. And I want to believe he is trying his best to make sure they pay up.
"Of course, I am willing to go back to court to enforce my right. I believe so much in Nigeria’s judicial system and the Nigeria Police being an arm of government which protects the right of ordinary citizens like us must not be seen ignoring the orders of the court as they are doing now," she added.