Policeman arraigned for shooting girlfriend’s sister
The police on Tuesday arraigned Emmanuel
Okujo, a 31-year-old police corporal, who allegedly shot his
girlfriend’s sister, Blessing Isanbor, with an AK47 rifle on February
10, 2012.
Okujo, who also absconded with the
victim’s 19-year-old sister, Patience Isanbor, was charged with
attempted murder before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court.
The charge reads in part, “That you
Emmanuel Okujo on February 10, 2012, at about 8:30pm, at 10, Ifateyindo
Street, Gbagada, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial district did attempt to
murder one Blessing Isanbor by shooting her with your K2 Police service
gun with serial number 64487 which inflicted injury on her left cheek
contrary to Section 228 (1) and punishable under Section 228 (2) of the
Criminal Law of Lagos State Cap 17 vol.44 Laws of Lagos State Nigeria
2011.”
Okujo pleaded not guilty and the
magistrate, Mrs. J.A Anabor, granted him N100, 000 bail with two
sureties, including a landed property owner in the state.
The case was adjourned till October 19, 2012.
Meanwhile, 21-year-old Blessing needs more money to carry out another facial reconstruction surgery.
Blessing has undergone one surgery which was paid for by three non-governmental organisations and her family.
The Director, Project Alert on Violence
Against Women, Dr. Josephine Effa-Chukwuma, said her organisation had
raised some money for Blessing’s second surgery scheduled for August 9.
She said, “Project Alert on Violence
Against Women in collaboration with Centre for Organisational
Development and Zahara Women Foundation has raised some funds in support
of Blessing’s second surgery which will take place on Thursday.
“However, more money will be needed for her third and final surgery which will take place in a few weeks.”
After the alleged shooting, Blessing was
rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital where she was
admitted for four months and 13 days.
Our correspondent, who visited Blessing
at her residence recently, observed that she still hand bandage on her
jaw but her talking had improved.
Blessing said she still had pains in her
left cheek, which was still swollen. She added that she found it hard
to eat or even sleep.
She lamented that it was hard to adjust to the condition and feared that she would not be able to continue with her education.
Blessing’s uncle, Steven Isanbor, told PUNCH Metro that he was not satisfied with the role of the police in the matter.
“Okujo was attached to Ifako Police
Division before the incident occurred. After the shooting, the
Divisional Police Officer gave us N65, 000 but this is very little
compared to the over N1.4m which has been spent so far,” he said.
