The Lagos textile dealer, Mrs. Taiwo Momoh, who attempted suicide in the Lagoon some time back and was prosecuted by the Government, has appealed to the government to forgive and stop her prosecution.
Mrs. Momoh, who lamented her treatment in the hands of the police after she was rescued from jumping off the Third Mainland Bridge, said she was put in a cell at the Lagos State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, for 4 days, which further depressed her as neighbours started ridiculing her.
During a visit to her Ajah residence on Thursday, Mrs. Momoh pleaded with the government to drop the charges against her, which she said had subjected her to shame and ridicule.
Speaking with Punch, she said;
“I don’t know how I got to the Third Mainland Bridge. What is strange is that even if I am driving, I don’t take the bridge as it scares me. So for me to want to jump into it is strange, I believe it is a spiritual attack.
“All I can remember was that I left home alone. I got down from a cab. The driver didn’t try to stop me. I didn’t know where I was. I was disoriented, until I got to Alausa (RRS office) that I regained consciousness. I was in the CP’s office, who treated me well and even came to visit me the next day when I arrived home.
“What was painful to me was that the police locked me up at the SCIID for four days after I was arrested. I slept on the floor; they collected my phone. I had to wear the same dress for four days. They didn’t give me food. It was on Monday that I was able to call my son, who then contacted a friend of mine. I was taken to Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, where I was asked to enter a plea. How can I do that in my state of depression? I begged them to forgive me and let me go home.
“When I got back, I was still disturbed as I became conscious of people staring at me. Because of that, I didn’t go out for a while. Please just help me to beg the government not to prosecute me, I have suffered enough. I am scared.
“I never want to collect loan for business again in my life. It is a shameful thing, one should be satisfied with what one has.”
The Director of OPD, Mrs. Olubukola Salami, who consoled Momoh, said the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health, and the agency were planning to secure medical treatment for her in line with the provisions of the Criminal Code of Lagos State.
It was learnt that Lagos State government was considering dropping the charges against her.
“The Attorney General is considering withdrawing the case,” a source said.