Esther Rejoice Udoh, a Lagos passenger who sustained an injury after Kehinde Idowu, an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), shattered a commercial bus’ mirror in her face, has demanded a compensation of N500 million.

Festus Ogun, a human rights lawyer, wrote Bolaji Oreagba, the general manager of LASTMA, on behalf of the injured woman, demanding a public apology published in a national newspaper and the prosecution of the erring official within seven days in addition to the money.

Broken glasses damaged Udoh’s eye when Idowu tried to stop the commercial driver for a traffic offence in Jibowu on January 19.

“Our client’s eye was left bleeding profusely until she was later rushed to a nearby hospital where she was rejected, given the grievous damage done to her eye by your official, and subsequently referred to the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, where she is currently receiving treatment,” Ogun said in his letter.

“The vicious attack on our client and the subsequent damage done to her eye by your official is not only reprehensible; it is a naked violation of her human rights to the dignity of the human person [sic] and a threat to her right to life and means of livelihood.”

“Our client has suffered grievous damages, excruciating pain, mental agony, psychological trauma and excessive loss of sleep caused by her hurting eyes – a form of torture under our extant laws – all resulting from the injury caused by your official.”

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Ogun stated that legal actions would be taken against LASTMA if the three-point demands were not met.

“If you fail, refuse and/or neglect to carry our demands within the stipulated days, we will, without further recourse, take appropriate legal steps to enforce our client’s fundamental rights,” the lawyer noted.

Olumide Filade, the spokesman for LASTMA, didn’t answer FIJ’s call or respond to a text message for comments. However, FIJ confirmed that the letter delivered to the LASTMA headquarters in Oshodi was received and acknowledged by the receptionist.