FOLLOWING the submission of the report of the Lagos State judicial panel of inquiry which looked into allegations of police brutality and events leading to the October 20, 2020 shootings at Lekki tollgate, the United States government has asked the federal and Lagos State governments to take action.
The Justice Doris Okuwobi-led panel had submitted its report to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Tuesday and had indicted the military for the shootings at Lekki tollgate on October 20, claiming that there was indeed murder at the tollgate on that fateful day.
The 309-page report also recommended that all those involved in the attacks on the youth be made to face disciplinary measure; Lekki toll plaza be renamed EndSARS Tollgate; October 20 every year be made toll-free day at Lekki tollgate and declared national day for remembrance. The report also asked the Federal Government to publicly apologise to the youth for abruptly undermining the protest with their state actors.
While receiving the report of the panel on Monday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had constituted a four-member committee led by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, to raise a White Paper on the reports of the panel within two weeks.
Reacting in a statement by the Public Affairs Section of the Consulate General, Lagos, the United States government said it expects the federal and Lagos State governments to address the alleged abuses that led to the #EndSARS protests and events that took place at the Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2020.
It further noted that the response of the state government should also consider the grievances of the victims and their families, noting that such response denotes accountability for events relating to the #EndSARS protests.
The statement reads: “The United States welcomes the conclusion of the Lagos State judicial panel of inquiry with the transmission of its final report.
“We look forward to the Lagos State government’s response as part of a process that represents an important mechanism of accountability regarding the #EndSARS protests and the events that took place near the Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2020.
“Those events led to serious allegations against some members of the security forces and we look forward to the Lagos State and federal governments taking suitable measures to address those alleged abuses as well as the grievances of the victims and their families.”
Also reacting, the United Nations (UN) said urgent action on the report by federal and Lagos State governments will rebuild trust and start the process of healing and reconciliation.
A statement on Tuesday by UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, said the submission of the panel report is welcomed.
Kallon noted that the submission of the findings of the judicial panel would accelerate the process of justice and accountability.
He, however, added: “I urge the government to implement the recommendations of the judicial panel of inquiry to rebuild trust and start the process of healing and reconciliation.”
Amnesty Intl demands justice
Global Watchdog, Amnesty International, is demanding justice for both the victims mentioned in the Lekki shooting probe report and their killers.
In a statement on Tuesday, Nigeria’s Country Director, Osai Ojigho, said, “Amnesty International welcomes the panel’s report, which confirms that Nigerian army and police shot peaceful protesters at the Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2020. The panel’s findings reveal the truth about what happened at Lekki tollgate and contradict the shameful denial by the Nigerian government that deadly force was used against peaceful #EndSARS protesters.
“A day after the crackdown, Amnesty International conducted its own on-the-ground investigation which confirmed that the Nigerian army and police killed at least 12 peaceful protesters in Lekki and Alausa – with evidence gathered from eyewitnesses, video footage and hospital reports.
“A week later, Amnesty International was able to release a timeline of the shootings, which confirmed that Nigerian army vehicles left a military base a short drive from the tollgate on the evening of the shootings and were present when the killings began shortly after.
“For the survivors and relatives of the dead, the judicial panel report findings are only the first step towards justice and restitution. President Buhari must act promptly to ensure that those found to be responsible for shooting and attacks on peaceful protesters are brought to justice in fair trial.
Nigerian authorities must ensure access to justice and effective remedies, including adequate compensation, restitution and guarantee of non-repetition to victims and their families.
“Authorities must also immediately and unconditionally release all #EndSARS pro- testers unlawfully detained since last year.”
Send report to Buhari, Falana tells Sanwo-Olu
Lagos lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, demanded that the report of the panel be sent to President Muhammadu Buhari as the employer of soldiers and police indicted for murder.
In a statement on Tuesday evening, he said, “Members of the Okuwobi judicial commission of inquiry deserve commendation for the thorough investigation of police brutality in Lagos State.
“In particular, the revelation that some of the dead bodies dumped in the various mortuaries in Lagos by soldiers were traced to the Lekki tollgate has exposed the official lie that the report of the brutal killing was a figment of the imagination of the protesters.
“A certified copy of the report of the panel should be forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari, in view of the recommendation that the soldiers and police personnel who engaged in the torture and reckless murder of citizens be sanctioned.
“Having received the report, the Lagos State government is urged to accelerate the issuance of the White Paper as well as the implementation of the far-reaching recommendations.
“The policemen who were killed by criminal elements during the protests should be honoured, notwithstanding that their family members have been compensated by the Lagos State government.
“However, as police brutality has continued unabated, we call on the government to set up the Lagos State Human Rights Committee, in line with the recommendation of the panel.”
SERAP to sue Buhari to ensure arrest of indicted soldiers, policemen
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has threatened to take legal actions against President Muhammadu Buhari’s government. In a series of tweets, SERAP said it would sue Buhari to compel the arrest of soldiers and police officers involved in shooting EndSARS protesters at Lekki tollgate.
SERAP tweeted, “We’re suing the Buhari administration to compel it to immediately arrest the soldiers and police responsible for the shooting of EndSARS protesters at Lekki tollgate and pay reparations to victims.
“We’re filing the suit first thing tomorrow morning; so please indicate your interest.
“We’re also following up with our petition dated 21 October 2020 to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court by forwarding today a copy of the report of Lagos EndSARS panel as additional information and evidence,” the group added.
HURIWA demands Lai Mohammed’s sack, trial
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for the dismissal, arrest and trial of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, for allegedly misleading the nation over the Lekki shooting.
In a statement by its chief promoter, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group said, “As there has emerged undisputed evidence that indeed there was systematic annihilation of many civilian protesters in Lekki tollgate in Lagos State last October, we are asking President Muhammadu Buhari, as a father of all, to order the arrest and prosecution of Mohammed for committing a grave and heartless offence that is equivalent to the denial of the Holocaust of the six million Jews by Adolf Hitler, which is punishable by nearly half a century of incarceration.”
HURIWA commended members and chairperson of the judicial panel and tasked President Buhari not to sweep the alleged lawlessness of the security agencies under the carpet.
PDP demands prosecution of killers
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the panel report which confirmed gruesome killings of innocent youths at the Lekki tollgate in October 20, 2020, strengthened the fact that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government has no regard for life. In a statement issued by Kola Ologbondiyan, its national publicity secretary, on Tuesday, it said the report of the Lagos #EndSARS panel, “which confirms the massacre of Nigerian youths in Lekki, has further shown the APC and its government as bloody liars whose hands are stained with the blood of our innocent compatriots.”
The party implored Nigerians to stand for the slain compatriots by ensuring that those behind the dastardly act as well as their supporters in government have their days in the dock.
It commiserated with the families of the slain young Nigerians, “who were cut in their prime for demanding for a just, equitable and secure nation governed by the rule of law.”
Hold govt accountable, Atedo Peterside charges youths
Founder of Stanbic Bank Plc Atedo Peterside has asked youths in the country to activate a new level of activism to hold the government accountable, noting that only through this can the country progress. Peterside made the call on Arise Television, while reacting to the report of the Lagos panel on the #EndSARS protest.
He advised Nigerian youths to express their anger over the Lekki tollgate ‘massacre’ by participating fully in the 2023 general election to vote out all compromised and underperforming individuals from the seat of power.
Peterside chided political stakeholders and top government officials who covered up the event of the EndSARS protest, saying “They didn’t carry out proper findings before issuing statements. Why will somebody in Abuja be making statements on what happened or did not happen in Lekki, when the soldiers who were in Lekki have chosen to keep quiet?
“Nothing can be worse than losing a son or daughter and having people in government denying they were murdered. You are left in limbo while mourning.”
He further commended the panel for releasing the truth on the attack against peaceful protesters and described its members as heroes whose action should be emulated by other government officials.
Peterside called on the Lagos State government to follow suit in the line of truth and justice and prosecute every individual involved in the killing of unarmed protesters as well as the cover-ups thereafter.
Recommendations must be implemented fully – Falz
Popular Nigerian rapper, Folarin Falana (Falz), via his official Instagram account @ falzthebahdguy, also decried the killing of unarmed protesters.
“These animals legit made us doubt our sanity about the Lagos massacre, you know. Something that we watched on Instagram live.
“Anyway the panel report is out now and it is clear as day. Just in case you thought we would back down at some point. That has never been & will never be an option.
“ALL these recommendations must be implemented fully!!
“The least that these innocent souls deserve is JUSTICE!” he posted.
This is a fight for the very fabric of our nation – DJ Switch
Obianuju Catherine Udeh, popularly known as DJ Switch whose live streaming of that shooting event played major role, in her official Instagram handle @ djswitch_ said, “On this day, last year 20.10.20 (referring to a video of her singing with the protesters at Lekki tollgate) we were filled with hopes that young Nigerians took a solid stand.
“Through all the government’s antics, lies, counter protesters and thugs that were sent to attack us… we stood our ground! “When the Nigerian government exhausted all their poorly planned tactics, they unleashed nothing short of EVIL on its citizens.
“I’ve not been able to talk today… and I cannot imagine what others who had it worse, feel! “I am so proud of our young generation of leaders and our celebrities that have shown great leadership.
“I also must say, it is not a one-day affair… this is a fight for the very fabric of our nation!
“My life changed on this day… for worse! But, I also believe it changed for good! I now know what it means to need something so bad… and that need for me is a better Nigeria!
“To the youth who risked it all today in order to remember 20.10.20, are in every bit Superman/Superwoman!”
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