By Cynthia Johnson
Taju Shoaga, a Nigerian businessman who was shot by Togolese marine soldiers 23 years ago, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in his quest for justice.
As gathered by QUEST TIMES, Shoaga and his friend, Segun Leopard, were shot while clearing a vehicle they had purchased at the Port Autonome, Lomé, Togo on September 8, 2000.
Despite the fact that soldiers in mufti approached them and ordered them to lie down before opening fire, the Togolese navy commander at the yard found nothing in the car other than the purchased documents.
“One commander, who was the head of the Navy in the yard, ordered some officers to search and inspect the inside of the car. His officers returned with the documents of the already purchased car and nothing more was found.
“The commander was provoked; he started slapping the particular officer who shot at us, asking them, ‘Tell me their offense,” Shoaga told newsmen.
He further stated that he and Leopard were left unattended at Tokoin hospital where they sought medical attention for hours before being asked to pay for their treatment.
The case was reported to the Nigerian Embassy in Togo the next day, and the then-Togolese president covered their medical expenses.
However, the approved sum of CFA 250 million for their treatment was never received by them.
Shoaga in a plea to President Tinubu, expressed frustration with the lack of progress despite their efforts to obtain justice. Much emphasis was placed on the urgent need for assistance, citing the enduring impact of the incident on their lives, particularly his friend’s inability to walk due to retained bullets and iron in his leg.
“My second cannot even walk at all, because he still has bullet and iron on his leg. It has not been removed since 23 years.”
Conclusively, he requested President Tinubu’s intervention and that of his team to engage the High Commission in Togo or the Nigerian ambassador to Togo in addressing the unresolved issues around the incident.
“I just want President Tinubu and his smart team to help me intervene in this matter to instruct or invite the High Commission over there (in Togo) or the Nigerian ambassador to Togo, to intervene.”
