Journalist Petitions Sanwo-Olu Over Injustice at LASPOTECH, Ikorodu
Female journalist Folake Sokoya has petitioned Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, regarding an injustice she and her son, Boluwatife Olowu, suffered at Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ikorodu, now known as Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH).
In a statement titled “Urgent Publication, Implementation of Visitation Panel Recommendations Following Assault Incident at LASPOTECH,” Sokoya, a journalist and former crime reporter with Daily Newswatch, addressed the non- publication and implementation of recommendations from the then LASPOTECH now LASUSTECH Visitation Panel. This panel was constituted to investigate a series of crises at LASPOTECH.
According to Sokoya, “On the 11th of July, 2018, my son, Boluwatife Olowu, and I were brutally assaulted by a security guard employed by LASPOTECH, named Moses Hitler. This incident was not an isolated event but part of a broader pattern of unrest and misconduct within the institution. In response to the escalating crises, you, in your capacity as Governor, rightly instituted a Visitation Panel to investigate the circumstances and provide recommendations aimed at restoring order and justice within the institution.”
She continued, “The Visitation Panel has since completed its investigations along with actionable recommendations. Despite the passage of considerable time since the submission, their findings were not made public, and recommendations have yet to be reviewed and implemented. This inaction continues to leave my son and I, along with other victims of similar injustices, without the closure and justice we so desperately seek.”
Sokoya highlighted the implications of the Governor not acting on the panel’s recommendations: “The failure to act on the panel’s recommendations not only undermines the credibility of the investigative process but also perpetuates a culture of impunity within LASUSTECH. It is crucial for the administration to demonstrate its commitment to justice, accountability, and the welfare of all stakeholders within the institution.”
She urged the Governor to ensure the implementation of the panel’s findings: “I hereby petition your esteemed office to:
1. Ensure the immediate implementation of the Visitation Panel’s recommendations.
2. Hold accountable all individuals found culpable in the report, particularly those involved in the assault incident of 11th July 2018.
3. Institute mechanisms to prevent future occurrences of such incidents within the institution.”
Sokoya concluded, “The implementation of these recommendations is not merely a procedural necessity but a moral imperative to uphold justice and restore confidence in the governance structures of our educational institutions. Your prompt and decisive action in this regard will not only bring justice to my family but also set a precedent for the protection of human rights within the state. I trust in your commitment to justice and the rule of law and look forward to a positive and swift resolution to this matter.”
