By Valentine Emeka Utulu

My dear friend, client and brother, Sammie Okposo was finally laid to rest yesterday, 16th December, 2022.

As I stood by the graveside watching the grave diggers cement over the grave, the tears rolled down my eyes and many a grown man wept with me, because Sammie was greatly loved. He was a ball of exploding light, life, kindness, joy, generosity and encouragement.

As I wept my mind went back to all the numerous legal battles we fought and won even from seemingly impossible positions and my mind went back particularly to the case when Sammie was imprisoned by the Grampian Police in Edinburgh, Scotland, during his honeymoon.

In 2010, Sammie got married to his beautiful wife and they went to Europe for their honeymoon. In the company of another couple, they went to a Chinese restaurant in that city and in the course of their dinner, there arose an altercation between Sammie and his friends on the one hand and the manager and the other staff of the restaurant on the other.

Before you could say Jack, they had called the police for Sammie and Sammie was handcuffed, arrested, spent the night of his honeymoon in jail and the next day was charged to court for “making racist statements”. Released on bail, a thoroughly dazed and traumatized Sammie returned to Nigeria to prepare for his trial.

I was somewhere in the Eastern part of the country, traveling by road, when Sammie started calling me frantically and we made arrangements to meet as soon as I got back.

When I eventually returned, he briefed me fully and I mulled over the matter. Sadly, I told Sammie, “I do not have a license to practice law in Scotland. You have to get a Scottish lawyer.”

His face fell, but Sammie was an intercessor. He did not know how to take no for an answer. “LA” he said to me (his nickname for me was “LA Law”), “you have to do something. Dem wan to put your brother inside onyibo prison and I just marry just now, just now”.

I went back home and began to chew on the matter. Then I called Sammie and told him to get a good Scottish lawyer and put him in touch with me so we could collaborate and then I told him that I will petition for him to the highest authorities and tell his side of the story in the court of public opinion.

There is something about Sammie. He is not a perfect man but he has a heart of gold. He also walked around with a guardian angel but he did not know it.

I couldn’t sleep for days after making that promise and I wrote a petition that was literarily on fire. I had never written anything like it before or after that. The document consumed me and it was like I was giving birth. I could not rest until I had poured out everything I had inside. It was the most passionate petition I have ever written and in it, I called into question the conscience of Scotland and lamented that their heroes past would turn in their graves at this injustice.

I studied the standard procedure for arrest and interrogation in Scotland and pointed out all the breaches by the police in their arrest and interrogation of Sammie and I accused them of theft because they took a $100 dollar note from Sammie at the police station and never returned it to him upon his release.

I also alleged personal harassment and aggravation against the restaurant management and the violation of Sammie’s human rights by the police. I addressed the petition to the First Minister of Scotland and I copied the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, The Queen of England, The Prime Minister of Great Britain, The Secretary General of the United Nations, The Nigerian Ambassador to The United Kingdom, The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Solicitor to The Advocate General of Scotland, The Chairman Federal House of Representatives Committee on Nigerians in the Diaspora, the Police Complaints Commission of the United Kingdom, amongst others.

Shortly after the letters were delivered, I received a call from the Nigerian Embassy in the UK and I put them in touch with Sammie to render him all help they could when he returned for the trial.

In April 2011, with his heart in his hand, like a lamb to the slaughter, Sammie returned to the UK to stand trial. The thought of jumping bail had never crossed his mind.

On the 8th of April 2011, on the first day of the trial, all charges against Sammie where dismissed and he was discharged and acquitted because the evidence was “insufficient, incoherent and baseless.”

I honestly do not know if my petition played any part in that dismissal. I suspect that the Scottish lawyer must have done a pretty good job, but if you ask Sammie, he will say, “Ah! LA Law, that your petition na die. I never see that kind thing before. The paper catch faayaaa! Na die! Oghene biko!!!”

Rest on my friend Sammie. I remember your goodness, your kindness, your humour and your humility. You were a superstar who did not behave like a superstar. You did not have the pride; you remained a simple and humble person even in greatness.

Sing on my friend, sing on with the angels.

Valentine Emeka Utulu wrote on Facebook.

By Valentine Emeka Utulu

My dear friend, client and brother, Sammie Okposo was finally laid to rest yesterday, 16th December, 2022.

As I stood by the graveside watching the grave diggers cement over the grave, the tears rolled down my eyes and many a grown man wept with me, because Sammie was greatly loved. He was a ball of exploding light, life, kindness, joy, generosity and encouragement.

As I wept my mind went back to all the numerous legal battles we fought and won even from seemingly impossible positions and my mind went back particularly to the case when Sammie was imprisoned by the Grampian Police in Edinburgh, Scotland, during his honeymoon.

In 2010, Sammie got married to his beautiful wife and they went to Europe for their honeymoon. In the company of another couple, they went to a Chinese restaurant in that city and in the course of their dinner, there arose an altercation between Sammie and his friends on the one hand and the manager and the other staff of the restaurant on the other.

Before you could say Jack, they had called the police for Sammie and Sammie was handcuffed, arrested, spent the night of his honeymoon in jail and the next day was charged to court for “making racist statements”. Released on bail, a thoroughly dazed and traumatized Sammie returned to Nigeria to prepare for his trial.

I was somewhere in the Eastern part of the country, traveling by road, when Sammie started calling me frantically and we made arrangements to meet as soon as I got back.

When I eventually returned, he briefed me fully and I mulled over the matter. Sadly, I told Sammie, “I do not have a license to practice law in Scotland. You have to get a Scottish lawyer.”

His face fell, but Sammie was an intercessor. He did not know how to take no for an answer. “LA” he said to me (his nickname for me was “LA Law”), “you have to do something. Dem wan to put your brother inside onyibo prison and I just marry just now, just now”.

I went back home and began to chew on the matter. Then I called Sammie and told him to get a good Scottish lawyer and put him in touch with me so we could collaborate and then I told him that I will petition for him to the highest authorities and tell his side of the story in the court of public opinion.

There is something about Sammie. He is not a perfect man but he has a heart of gold. He also walked around with a guardian angel but he did not know it.

I couldn’t sleep for days after making that promise and I wrote a petition that was literarily on fire. I had never written anything like it before or after that. The document consumed me and it was like I was giving birth. I could not rest until I had poured out everything I had inside. It was the most passionate petition I have ever written and in it, I called into question the conscience of Scotland and lamented that their heroes past would turn in their graves at this injustice.

I studied the standard procedure for arrest and interrogation in Scotland and pointed out all the breaches by the police in their arrest and interrogation of Sammie and I accused them of theft because they took a $100 dollar note from Sammie at the police station and never returned it to him upon his release.

I also alleged personal harassment and aggravation against the restaurant management and the violation of Sammie’s human rights by the police. I addressed the petition to the First Minister of Scotland and I copied the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, The Queen of England, The Prime Minister of Great Britain, The Secretary General of the United Nations, The Nigerian Ambassador to The United Kingdom, The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Solicitor to The Advocate General of Scotland, The Chairman Federal House of Representatives Committee on Nigerians in the Diaspora, the Police Complaints Commission of the United Kingdom, amongst others.

Shortly after the letters were delivered, I received a call from the Nigerian Embassy in the UK and I put them in touch with Sammie to render him all help they could when he returned for the trial.

In April 2011, with his heart in his hand, like a lamb to the slaughter, Sammie returned to the UK to stand trial. The thought of jumping bail had never crossed his mind.

On the 8th of April 2011, on the first day of the trial, all charges against Sammie where dismissed and he was discharged and acquitted because the evidence was “insufficient, incoherent and baseless.”

I honestly do not know if my petition played any part in that dismissal. I suspect that the Scottish lawyer must have done a pretty good job, but if you ask Sammie, he will say, “Ah! LA Law, that your petition na die. I never see that kind thing before. The paper catch faayaaa! Na die! Oghene biko!!!”

Rest on my friend Sammie. I remember your goodness, your kindness, your humour and your humility. You were a superstar who did not behave like a superstar. You did not have the pride; you remained a simple and humble person even in greatness.

Sing on my friend, sing on with the angels.

Valentine Emeka Utulu wrote on Facebook.

By Valentine Emeka Utulu

My dear friend, client and brother, Sammie Okposo was finally laid to rest yesterday, 16th December, 2022.

As I stood by the graveside watching the grave diggers cement over the grave, the tears rolled down my eyes and many a grown man wept with me, because Sammie was greatly loved. He was a ball of exploding light, life, kindness, joy, generosity and encouragement.

As I wept my mind went back to all the numerous legal battles we fought and won even from seemingly impossible positions and my mind went back particularly to the case when Sammie was imprisoned by the Grampian Police in Edinburgh, Scotland, during his honeymoon.

In 2010, Sammie got married to his beautiful wife and they went to Europe for their honeymoon. In the company of another couple, they went to a Chinese restaurant in that city and in the course of their dinner, there arose an altercation between Sammie and his friends on the one hand and the manager and the other staff of the restaurant on the other.

Before you could say Jack, they had called the police for Sammie and Sammie was handcuffed, arrested, spent the night of his honeymoon in jail and the next day was charged to court for “making racist statements”. Released on bail, a thoroughly dazed and traumatized Sammie returned to Nigeria to prepare for his trial.

I was somewhere in the Eastern part of the country, traveling by road, when Sammie started calling me frantically and we made arrangements to meet as soon as I got back.

When I eventually returned, he briefed me fully and I mulled over the matter. Sadly, I told Sammie, “I do not have a license to practice law in Scotland. You have to get a Scottish lawyer.”

His face fell, but Sammie was an intercessor. He did not know how to take no for an answer. “LA” he said to me (his nickname for me was “LA Law”), “you have to do something. Dem wan to put your brother inside onyibo prison and I just marry just now, just now”.

I went back home and began to chew on the matter. Then I called Sammie and told him to get a good Scottish lawyer and put him in touch with me so we could collaborate and then I told him that I will petition for him to the highest authorities and tell his side of the story in the court of public opinion.

There is something about Sammie. He is not a perfect man but he has a heart of gold. He also walked around with a guardian angel but he did not know it.

I couldn’t sleep for days after making that promise and I wrote a petition that was literarily on fire. I had never written anything like it before or after that. The document consumed me and it was like I was giving birth. I could not rest until I had poured out everything I had inside. It was the most passionate petition I have ever written and in it, I called into question the conscience of Scotland and lamented that their heroes past would turn in their graves at this injustice.

I studied the standard procedure for arrest and interrogation in Scotland and pointed out all the breaches by the police in their arrest and interrogation of Sammie and I accused them of theft because they took a $100 dollar note from Sammie at the police station and never returned it to him upon his release.

I also alleged personal harassment and aggravation against the restaurant management and the violation of Sammie’s human rights by the police. I addressed the petition to the First Minister of Scotland and I copied the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, The Queen of England, The Prime Minister of Great Britain, The Secretary General of the United Nations, The Nigerian Ambassador to The United Kingdom, The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Solicitor to The Advocate General of Scotland, The Chairman Federal House of Representatives Committee on Nigerians in the Diaspora, the Police Complaints Commission of the United Kingdom, amongst others.

Shortly after the letters were delivered, I received a call from the Nigerian Embassy in the UK and I put them in touch with Sammie to render him all help they could when he returned for the trial.

In April 2011, with his heart in his hand, like a lamb to the slaughter, Sammie returned to the UK to stand trial. The thought of jumping bail had never crossed his mind.

On the 8th of April 2011, on the first day of the trial, all charges against Sammie where dismissed and he was discharged and acquitted because the evidence was “insufficient, incoherent and baseless.”

I honestly do not know if my petition played any part in that dismissal. I suspect that the Scottish lawyer must have done a pretty good job, but if you ask Sammie, he will say, “Ah! LA Law, that your petition na die. I never see that kind thing before. The paper catch faayaaa! Na die! Oghene biko!!!”

Rest on my friend Sammie. I remember your goodness, your kindness, your humour and your humility. You were a superstar who did not behave like a superstar. You did not have the pride; you remained a simple and humble person even in greatness.

Sing on my friend, sing on with the angels.

Valentine Emeka Utulu wrote on Facebook.

By Valentine Emeka Utulu

My dear friend, client and brother, Sammie Okposo was finally laid to rest yesterday, 16th December, 2022.

As I stood by the graveside watching the grave diggers cement over the grave, the tears rolled down my eyes and many a grown man wept with me, because Sammie was greatly loved. He was a ball of exploding light, life, kindness, joy, generosity and encouragement.

As I wept my mind went back to all the numerous legal battles we fought and won even from seemingly impossible positions and my mind went back particularly to the case when Sammie was imprisoned by the Grampian Police in Edinburgh, Scotland, during his honeymoon.

In 2010, Sammie got married to his beautiful wife and they went to Europe for their honeymoon. In the company of another couple, they went to a Chinese restaurant in that city and in the course of their dinner, there arose an altercation between Sammie and his friends on the one hand and the manager and the other staff of the restaurant on the other.

Before you could say Jack, they had called the police for Sammie and Sammie was handcuffed, arrested, spent the night of his honeymoon in jail and the next day was charged to court for “making racist statements”. Released on bail, a thoroughly dazed and traumatized Sammie returned to Nigeria to prepare for his trial.

I was somewhere in the Eastern part of the country, traveling by road, when Sammie started calling me frantically and we made arrangements to meet as soon as I got back.

When I eventually returned, he briefed me fully and I mulled over the matter. Sadly, I told Sammie, “I do not have a license to practice law in Scotland. You have to get a Scottish lawyer.”

His face fell, but Sammie was an intercessor. He did not know how to take no for an answer. “LA” he said to me (his nickname for me was “LA Law”), “you have to do something. Dem wan to put your brother inside onyibo prison and I just marry just now, just now”.

I went back home and began to chew on the matter. Then I called Sammie and told him to get a good Scottish lawyer and put him in touch with me so we could collaborate and then I told him that I will petition for him to the highest authorities and tell his side of the story in the court of public opinion.

There is something about Sammie. He is not a perfect man but he has a heart of gold. He also walked around with a guardian angel but he did not know it.

I couldn’t sleep for days after making that promise and I wrote a petition that was literarily on fire. I had never written anything like it before or after that. The document consumed me and it was like I was giving birth. I could not rest until I had poured out everything I had inside. It was the most passionate petition I have ever written and in it, I called into question the conscience of Scotland and lamented that their heroes past would turn in their graves at this injustice.

I studied the standard procedure for arrest and interrogation in Scotland and pointed out all the breaches by the police in their arrest and interrogation of Sammie and I accused them of theft because they took a $100 dollar note from Sammie at the police station and never returned it to him upon his release.

I also alleged personal harassment and aggravation against the restaurant management and the violation of Sammie’s human rights by the police. I addressed the petition to the First Minister of Scotland and I copied the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, The Queen of England, The Prime Minister of Great Britain, The Secretary General of the United Nations, The Nigerian Ambassador to The United Kingdom, The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Solicitor to The Advocate General of Scotland, The Chairman Federal House of Representatives Committee on Nigerians in the Diaspora, the Police Complaints Commission of the United Kingdom, amongst others.

Shortly after the letters were delivered, I received a call from the Nigerian Embassy in the UK and I put them in touch with Sammie to render him all help they could when he returned for the trial.

In April 2011, with his heart in his hand, like a lamb to the slaughter, Sammie returned to the UK to stand trial. The thought of jumping bail had never crossed his mind.

On the 8th of April 2011, on the first day of the trial, all charges against Sammie where dismissed and he was discharged and acquitted because the evidence was “insufficient, incoherent and baseless.”

I honestly do not know if my petition played any part in that dismissal. I suspect that the Scottish lawyer must have done a pretty good job, but if you ask Sammie, he will say, “Ah! LA Law, that your petition na die. I never see that kind thing before. The paper catch faayaaa! Na die! Oghene biko!!!”

Rest on my friend Sammie. I remember your goodness, your kindness, your humour and your humility. You were a superstar who did not behave like a superstar. You did not have the pride; you remained a simple and humble person even in greatness.

Sing on my friend, sing on with the angels.

Valentine Emeka Utulu wrote on Facebook.

By Valentine Emeka Utulu

My dear friend, client and brother, Sammie Okposo was finally laid to rest yesterday, 16th December, 2022.

As I stood by the graveside watching the grave diggers cement over the grave, the tears rolled down my eyes and many a grown man wept with me, because Sammie was greatly loved. He was a ball of exploding light, life, kindness, joy, generosity and encouragement.

As I wept my mind went back to all the numerous legal battles we fought and won even from seemingly impossible positions and my mind went back particularly to the case when Sammie was imprisoned by the Grampian Police in Edinburgh, Scotland, during his honeymoon.

In 2010, Sammie got married to his beautiful wife and they went to Europe for their honeymoon. In the company of another couple, they went to a Chinese restaurant in that city and in the course of their dinner, there arose an altercation between Sammie and his friends on the one hand and the manager and the other staff of the restaurant on the other.

Before you could say Jack, they had called the police for Sammie and Sammie was handcuffed, arrested, spent the night of his honeymoon in jail and the next day was charged to court for “making racist statements”. Released on bail, a thoroughly dazed and traumatized Sammie returned to Nigeria to prepare for his trial.

I was somewhere in the Eastern part of the country, traveling by road, when Sammie started calling me frantically and we made arrangements to meet as soon as I got back.

When I eventually returned, he briefed me fully and I mulled over the matter. Sadly, I told Sammie, “I do not have a license to practice law in Scotland. You have to get a Scottish lawyer.”

His face fell, but Sammie was an intercessor. He did not know how to take no for an answer. “LA” he said to me (his nickname for me was “LA Law”), “you have to do something. Dem wan to put your brother inside onyibo prison and I just marry just now, just now”.

I went back home and began to chew on the matter. Then I called Sammie and told him to get a good Scottish lawyer and put him in touch with me so we could collaborate and then I told him that I will petition for him to the highest authorities and tell his side of the story in the court of public opinion.

There is something about Sammie. He is not a perfect man but he has a heart of gold. He also walked around with a guardian angel but he did not know it.

I couldn’t sleep for days after making that promise and I wrote a petition that was literarily on fire. I had never written anything like it before or after that. The document consumed me and it was like I was giving birth. I could not rest until I had poured out everything I had inside. It was the most passionate petition I have ever written and in it, I called into question the conscience of Scotland and lamented that their heroes past would turn in their graves at this injustice.

I studied the standard procedure for arrest and interrogation in Scotland and pointed out all the breaches by the police in their arrest and interrogation of Sammie and I accused them of theft because they took a $100 dollar note from Sammie at the police station and never returned it to him upon his release.

I also alleged personal harassment and aggravation against the restaurant management and the violation of Sammie’s human rights by the police. I addressed the petition to the First Minister of Scotland and I copied the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, The Queen of England, The Prime Minister of Great Britain, The Secretary General of the United Nations, The Nigerian Ambassador to The United Kingdom, The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Solicitor to The Advocate General of Scotland, The Chairman Federal House of Representatives Committee on Nigerians in the Diaspora, the Police Complaints Commission of the United Kingdom, amongst others.

Shortly after the letters were delivered, I received a call from the Nigerian Embassy in the UK and I put them in touch with Sammie to render him all help they could when he returned for the trial.

In April 2011, with his heart in his hand, like a lamb to the slaughter, Sammie returned to the UK to stand trial. The thought of jumping bail had never crossed his mind.

On the 8th of April 2011, on the first day of the trial, all charges against Sammie where dismissed and he was discharged and acquitted because the evidence was “insufficient, incoherent and baseless.”

I honestly do not know if my petition played any part in that dismissal. I suspect that the Scottish lawyer must have done a pretty good job, but if you ask Sammie, he will say, “Ah! LA Law, that your petition na die. I never see that kind thing before. The paper catch faayaaa! Na die! Oghene biko!!!”

Rest on my friend Sammie. I remember your goodness, your kindness, your humour and your humility. You were a superstar who did not behave like a superstar. You did not have the pride; you remained a simple and humble person even in greatness.

Sing on my friend, sing on with the angels.

Valentine Emeka Utulu wrote on Facebook.

By Valentine Emeka Utulu

My dear friend, client and brother, Sammie Okposo was finally laid to rest yesterday, 16th December, 2022.

As I stood by the graveside watching the grave diggers cement over the grave, the tears rolled down my eyes and many a grown man wept with me, because Sammie was greatly loved. He was a ball of exploding light, life, kindness, joy, generosity and encouragement.

As I wept my mind went back to all the numerous legal battles we fought and won even from seemingly impossible positions and my mind went back particularly to the case when Sammie was imprisoned by the Grampian Police in Edinburgh, Scotland, during his honeymoon.

In 2010, Sammie got married to his beautiful wife and they went to Europe for their honeymoon. In the company of another couple, they went to a Chinese restaurant in that city and in the course of their dinner, there arose an altercation between Sammie and his friends on the one hand and the manager and the other staff of the restaurant on the other.

Before you could say Jack, they had called the police for Sammie and Sammie was handcuffed, arrested, spent the night of his honeymoon in jail and the next day was charged to court for “making racist statements”. Released on bail, a thoroughly dazed and traumatized Sammie returned to Nigeria to prepare for his trial.

I was somewhere in the Eastern part of the country, traveling by road, when Sammie started calling me frantically and we made arrangements to meet as soon as I got back.

When I eventually returned, he briefed me fully and I mulled over the matter. Sadly, I told Sammie, “I do not have a license to practice law in Scotland. You have to get a Scottish lawyer.”

His face fell, but Sammie was an intercessor. He did not know how to take no for an answer. “LA” he said to me (his nickname for me was “LA Law”), “you have to do something. Dem wan to put your brother inside onyibo prison and I just marry just now, just now”.

I went back home and began to chew on the matter. Then I called Sammie and told him to get a good Scottish lawyer and put him in touch with me so we could collaborate and then I told him that I will petition for him to the highest authorities and tell his side of the story in the court of public opinion.

There is something about Sammie. He is not a perfect man but he has a heart of gold. He also walked around with a guardian angel but he did not know it.

I couldn’t sleep for days after making that promise and I wrote a petition that was literarily on fire. I had never written anything like it before or after that. The document consumed me and it was like I was giving birth. I could not rest until I had poured out everything I had inside. It was the most passionate petition I have ever written and in it, I called into question the conscience of Scotland and lamented that their heroes past would turn in their graves at this injustice.

I studied the standard procedure for arrest and interrogation in Scotland and pointed out all the breaches by the police in their arrest and interrogation of Sammie and I accused them of theft because they took a $100 dollar note from Sammie at the police station and never returned it to him upon his release.

I also alleged personal harassment and aggravation against the restaurant management and the violation of Sammie’s human rights by the police. I addressed the petition to the First Minister of Scotland and I copied the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, The Queen of England, The Prime Minister of Great Britain, The Secretary General of the United Nations, The Nigerian Ambassador to The United Kingdom, The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Solicitor to The Advocate General of Scotland, The Chairman Federal House of Representatives Committee on Nigerians in the Diaspora, the Police Complaints Commission of the United Kingdom, amongst others.

Shortly after the letters were delivered, I received a call from the Nigerian Embassy in the UK and I put them in touch with Sammie to render him all help they could when he returned for the trial.

In April 2011, with his heart in his hand, like a lamb to the slaughter, Sammie returned to the UK to stand trial. The thought of jumping bail had never crossed his mind.

On the 8th of April 2011, on the first day of the trial, all charges against Sammie where dismissed and he was discharged and acquitted because the evidence was “insufficient, incoherent and baseless.”

I honestly do not know if my petition played any part in that dismissal. I suspect that the Scottish lawyer must have done a pretty good job, but if you ask Sammie, he will say, “Ah! LA Law, that your petition na die. I never see that kind thing before. The paper catch faayaaa! Na die! Oghene biko!!!”

Rest on my friend Sammie. I remember your goodness, your kindness, your humour and your humility. You were a superstar who did not behave like a superstar. You did not have the pride; you remained a simple and humble person even in greatness.

Sing on my friend, sing on with the angels.

Valentine Emeka Utulu wrote on Facebook.

By Valentine Emeka Utulu

My dear friend, client and brother, Sammie Okposo was finally laid to rest yesterday, 16th December, 2022.

As I stood by the graveside watching the grave diggers cement over the grave, the tears rolled down my eyes and many a grown man wept with me, because Sammie was greatly loved. He was a ball of exploding light, life, kindness, joy, generosity and encouragement.

As I wept my mind went back to all the numerous legal battles we fought and won even from seemingly impossible positions and my mind went back particularly to the case when Sammie was imprisoned by the Grampian Police in Edinburgh, Scotland, during his honeymoon.

In 2010, Sammie got married to his beautiful wife and they went to Europe for their honeymoon. In the company of another couple, they went to a Chinese restaurant in that city and in the course of their dinner, there arose an altercation between Sammie and his friends on the one hand and the manager and the other staff of the restaurant on the other.

Before you could say Jack, they had called the police for Sammie and Sammie was handcuffed, arrested, spent the night of his honeymoon in jail and the next day was charged to court for “making racist statements”. Released on bail, a thoroughly dazed and traumatized Sammie returned to Nigeria to prepare for his trial.

I was somewhere in the Eastern part of the country, traveling by road, when Sammie started calling me frantically and we made arrangements to meet as soon as I got back.

When I eventually returned, he briefed me fully and I mulled over the matter. Sadly, I told Sammie, “I do not have a license to practice law in Scotland. You have to get a Scottish lawyer.”

His face fell, but Sammie was an intercessor. He did not know how to take no for an answer. “LA” he said to me (his nickname for me was “LA Law”), “you have to do something. Dem wan to put your brother inside onyibo prison and I just marry just now, just now”.

I went back home and began to chew on the matter. Then I called Sammie and told him to get a good Scottish lawyer and put him in touch with me so we could collaborate and then I told him that I will petition for him to the highest authorities and tell his side of the story in the court of public opinion.

There is something about Sammie. He is not a perfect man but he has a heart of gold. He also walked around with a guardian angel but he did not know it.

I couldn’t sleep for days after making that promise and I wrote a petition that was literarily on fire. I had never written anything like it before or after that. The document consumed me and it was like I was giving birth. I could not rest until I had poured out everything I had inside. It was the most passionate petition I have ever written and in it, I called into question the conscience of Scotland and lamented that their heroes past would turn in their graves at this injustice.

I studied the standard procedure for arrest and interrogation in Scotland and pointed out all the breaches by the police in their arrest and interrogation of Sammie and I accused them of theft because they took a $100 dollar note from Sammie at the police station and never returned it to him upon his release.

I also alleged personal harassment and aggravation against the restaurant management and the violation of Sammie’s human rights by the police. I addressed the petition to the First Minister of Scotland and I copied the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, The Queen of England, The Prime Minister of Great Britain, The Secretary General of the United Nations, The Nigerian Ambassador to The United Kingdom, The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Solicitor to The Advocate General of Scotland, The Chairman Federal House of Representatives Committee on Nigerians in the Diaspora, the Police Complaints Commission of the United Kingdom, amongst others.

Shortly after the letters were delivered, I received a call from the Nigerian Embassy in the UK and I put them in touch with Sammie to render him all help they could when he returned for the trial.

In April 2011, with his heart in his hand, like a lamb to the slaughter, Sammie returned to the UK to stand trial. The thought of jumping bail had never crossed his mind.

On the 8th of April 2011, on the first day of the trial, all charges against Sammie where dismissed and he was discharged and acquitted because the evidence was “insufficient, incoherent and baseless.”

I honestly do not know if my petition played any part in that dismissal. I suspect that the Scottish lawyer must have done a pretty good job, but if you ask Sammie, he will say, “Ah! LA Law, that your petition na die. I never see that kind thing before. The paper catch faayaaa! Na die! Oghene biko!!!”

Rest on my friend Sammie. I remember your goodness, your kindness, your humour and your humility. You were a superstar who did not behave like a superstar. You did not have the pride; you remained a simple and humble person even in greatness.

Sing on my friend, sing on with the angels.

Valentine Emeka Utulu wrote on Facebook.

By Valentine Emeka Utulu

My dear friend, client and brother, Sammie Okposo was finally laid to rest yesterday, 16th December, 2022.

As I stood by the graveside watching the grave diggers cement over the grave, the tears rolled down my eyes and many a grown man wept with me, because Sammie was greatly loved. He was a ball of exploding light, life, kindness, joy, generosity and encouragement.

As I wept my mind went back to all the numerous legal battles we fought and won even from seemingly impossible positions and my mind went back particularly to the case when Sammie was imprisoned by the Grampian Police in Edinburgh, Scotland, during his honeymoon.

In 2010, Sammie got married to his beautiful wife and they went to Europe for their honeymoon. In the company of another couple, they went to a Chinese restaurant in that city and in the course of their dinner, there arose an altercation between Sammie and his friends on the one hand and the manager and the other staff of the restaurant on the other.

Before you could say Jack, they had called the police for Sammie and Sammie was handcuffed, arrested, spent the night of his honeymoon in jail and the next day was charged to court for “making racist statements”. Released on bail, a thoroughly dazed and traumatized Sammie returned to Nigeria to prepare for his trial.

I was somewhere in the Eastern part of the country, traveling by road, when Sammie started calling me frantically and we made arrangements to meet as soon as I got back.

When I eventually returned, he briefed me fully and I mulled over the matter. Sadly, I told Sammie, “I do not have a license to practice law in Scotland. You have to get a Scottish lawyer.”

His face fell, but Sammie was an intercessor. He did not know how to take no for an answer. “LA” he said to me (his nickname for me was “LA Law”), “you have to do something. Dem wan to put your brother inside onyibo prison and I just marry just now, just now”.

I went back home and began to chew on the matter. Then I called Sammie and told him to get a good Scottish lawyer and put him in touch with me so we could collaborate and then I told him that I will petition for him to the highest authorities and tell his side of the story in the court of public opinion.

There is something about Sammie. He is not a perfect man but he has a heart of gold. He also walked around with a guardian angel but he did not know it.

I couldn’t sleep for days after making that promise and I wrote a petition that was literarily on fire. I had never written anything like it before or after that. The document consumed me and it was like I was giving birth. I could not rest until I had poured out everything I had inside. It was the most passionate petition I have ever written and in it, I called into question the conscience of Scotland and lamented that their heroes past would turn in their graves at this injustice.

I studied the standard procedure for arrest and interrogation in Scotland and pointed out all the breaches by the police in their arrest and interrogation of Sammie and I accused them of theft because they took a $100 dollar note from Sammie at the police station and never returned it to him upon his release.

I also alleged personal harassment and aggravation against the restaurant management and the violation of Sammie’s human rights by the police. I addressed the petition to the First Minister of Scotland and I copied the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, The Queen of England, The Prime Minister of Great Britain, The Secretary General of the United Nations, The Nigerian Ambassador to The United Kingdom, The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Solicitor to The Advocate General of Scotland, The Chairman Federal House of Representatives Committee on Nigerians in the Diaspora, the Police Complaints Commission of the United Kingdom, amongst others.

Shortly after the letters were delivered, I received a call from the Nigerian Embassy in the UK and I put them in touch with Sammie to render him all help they could when he returned for the trial.

In April 2011, with his heart in his hand, like a lamb to the slaughter, Sammie returned to the UK to stand trial. The thought of jumping bail had never crossed his mind.

On the 8th of April 2011, on the first day of the trial, all charges against Sammie where dismissed and he was discharged and acquitted because the evidence was “insufficient, incoherent and baseless.”

I honestly do not know if my petition played any part in that dismissal. I suspect that the Scottish lawyer must have done a pretty good job, but if you ask Sammie, he will say, “Ah! LA Law, that your petition na die. I never see that kind thing before. The paper catch faayaaa! Na die! Oghene biko!!!”

Rest on my friend Sammie. I remember your goodness, your kindness, your humour and your humility. You were a superstar who did not behave like a superstar. You did not have the pride; you remained a simple and humble person even in greatness.

Sing on my friend, sing on with the angels.

Valentine Emeka Utulu wrote on Facebook.

By Valentine Emeka Utulu

My dear friend, client and brother, Sammie Okposo was finally laid to rest yesterday, 16th December, 2022.

As I stood by the graveside watching the grave diggers cement over the grave, the tears rolled down my eyes and many a grown man wept with me, because Sammie was greatly loved. He was a ball of exploding light, life, kindness, joy, generosity and encouragement.

As I wept my mind went back to all the numerous legal battles we fought and won even from seemingly impossible positions and my mind went back particularly to the case when Sammie was imprisoned by the Grampian Police in Edinburgh, Scotland, during his honeymoon.

In 2010, Sammie got married to his beautiful wife and they went to Europe for their honeymoon. In the company of another couple, they went to a Chinese restaurant in that city and in the course of their dinner, there arose an altercation between Sammie and his friends on the one hand and the manager and the other staff of the restaurant on the other.

Before you could say Jack, they had called the police for Sammie and Sammie was handcuffed, arrested, spent the night of his honeymoon in jail and the next day was charged to court for “making racist statements”. Released on bail, a thoroughly dazed and traumatized Sammie returned to Nigeria to prepare for his trial.

I was somewhere in the Eastern part of the country, traveling by road, when Sammie started calling me frantically and we made arrangements to meet as soon as I got back.

When I eventually returned, he briefed me fully and I mulled over the matter. Sadly, I told Sammie, “I do not have a license to practice law in Scotland. You have to get a Scottish lawyer.”

His face fell, but Sammie was an intercessor. He did not know how to take no for an answer. “LA” he said to me (his nickname for me was “LA Law”), “you have to do something. Dem wan to put your brother inside onyibo prison and I just marry just now, just now”.

I went back home and began to chew on the matter. Then I called Sammie and told him to get a good Scottish lawyer and put him in touch with me so we could collaborate and then I told him that I will petition for him to the highest authorities and tell his side of the story in the court of public opinion.

There is something about Sammie. He is not a perfect man but he has a heart of gold. He also walked around with a guardian angel but he did not know it.

I couldn’t sleep for days after making that promise and I wrote a petition that was literarily on fire. I had never written anything like it before or after that. The document consumed me and it was like I was giving birth. I could not rest until I had poured out everything I had inside. It was the most passionate petition I have ever written and in it, I called into question the conscience of Scotland and lamented that their heroes past would turn in their graves at this injustice.

I studied the standard procedure for arrest and interrogation in Scotland and pointed out all the breaches by the police in their arrest and interrogation of Sammie and I accused them of theft because they took a $100 dollar note from Sammie at the police station and never returned it to him upon his release.

I also alleged personal harassment and aggravation against the restaurant management and the violation of Sammie’s human rights by the police. I addressed the petition to the First Minister of Scotland and I copied the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, The Queen of England, The Prime Minister of Great Britain, The Secretary General of the United Nations, The Nigerian Ambassador to The United Kingdom, The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Solicitor to The Advocate General of Scotland, The Chairman Federal House of Representatives Committee on Nigerians in the Diaspora, the Police Complaints Commission of the United Kingdom, amongst others.

Shortly after the letters were delivered, I received a call from the Nigerian Embassy in the UK and I put them in touch with Sammie to render him all help they could when he returned for the trial.

In April 2011, with his heart in his hand, like a lamb to the slaughter, Sammie returned to the UK to stand trial. The thought of jumping bail had never crossed his mind.

On the 8th of April 2011, on the first day of the trial, all charges against Sammie where dismissed and he was discharged and acquitted because the evidence was “insufficient, incoherent and baseless.”

I honestly do not know if my petition played any part in that dismissal. I suspect that the Scottish lawyer must have done a pretty good job, but if you ask Sammie, he will say, “Ah! LA Law, that your petition na die. I never see that kind thing before. The paper catch faayaaa! Na die! Oghene biko!!!”

Rest on my friend Sammie. I remember your goodness, your kindness, your humour and your humility. You were a superstar who did not behave like a superstar. You did not have the pride; you remained a simple and humble person even in greatness.

Sing on my friend, sing on with the angels.

Valentine Emeka Utulu wrote on Facebook.