As findings of the report by the Lagos State Judicial panel on the EndSARS protest continue to generate reactions, Sustainable Initiative for Nuturing Growth (SING) Nigeria, has asked the Minister for Information and Culture, Lai Muhammed to issue a public apology to Nigerian youths and victims of Lekki Toll Gate shootings.
The Nigeria authorities, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed and the Nigerian Army had consistently denied that peaceful protesters were killed at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20 2020, claiming it was all fabrication from detractors, but the Judicial panel in its report submitted to the Lagos State government on Monday established that there was indeed a massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate in October last year.
Public apology by Nigerian government and its authorities according to the organization (SING) Nigeria, will pacify the wounds caused by their (government) insistence on the contrary.
The Judicial panel of inquiry which commenced sitting over a year ago was set up by the Lagos State government to look into Lekki Toll Gate attack. Testimonies of petitioners, witnesses, experts and lawyers have also been taken in the course of this investigation.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, SING Associate Member, Mohammed Basah said “We hold that the report by the Lagos State judicial panel on the ENDSARS protest, is a vindication and validation of the position of unarmed Nigerian Youths at the Lekki toll gate that, indeed, live bullets were shot at them on October 20,2020, by officers of the Nigerian Army.
“We consider the report as legal stamps on the already circulated evidence that authorities went overboard to interrupt citizens’ democratic and constitutional processes in a most gruesome manner.
“As a democratic nation, it is important for our government officials to be reminded of fundamental principles of democracy; the provision of section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria (as amended), and article 21 of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights(ICCPR) which both guarantee right to freely assemble and associate with other persons, with no restrictions; is a fundamental right and not a privilege that can be withdrawn by government officials should such constitutional actions go against the selfish wish of the political class.
“We reiterate our position and strongly condemn the gestapo actions of the Nigerian Army which the judicial panel confirmed were mobilized to the scene of the incident by the Lagos State Government.
“May we use this opportunity to also remind the government and authorities that public offices are positions of trust, and that public confidence is built on honest communication.
“The claims and insistence by the federal government through the Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Muhammed that there were no shootings at Lekki, and that no Nigerian Youth was killed during the unfortunate incidence, against available records by eyewitness and international observers was not only preposterous, but also shows the extent the government is ready to go to force down its false and misleading narrative about the Lekki incidence”.
While commending the Judicial panel for the job well done, the group called for the public prosecution of the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and all those who ordered the shootings of peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll gate.
“In the interest of justice and fairness, those that have been figured to have been involved in giving the order that led to the shootings at the toll gate should be publicly prosecuted, and this includes; Governor Sanwo-Olu, Lt. Col. Bello, officers of the Nigerian Army and Police who shot the live bullets, the Lekki concession company and other actors. We demand and reiterate that all their identities be made public and that they may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law; as we call on the government to implement all the recommendations of the Judicial panel of inquiry.
“We must not fail to Commend the excellent job done by the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry chaired by Honourable Justice Doris Okuwobi (Rtd). Their factual and elaborate research into the ENDSARS protest in Lagos and evident findings has renewed the hope of many Nigerians in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man” he added.
SING further urged that the report of the Lagos Judicial panel on the ENDSARS protest be implemented to the fullest as many will refer to the document going forward.
Also, Programs Manager of the Organization, Obianuju Iloanya said to ensure justice for victims of this dastardly act, Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu should not be in charge of the report of the panel.
She also added that if those indicted do not apologize publicly, then they should be fired or honorably resign.
Several Nigerians have taken to social media to lambast the government for denying that there was a killing despite evidence and live stream of the attack by Disc Jockey, Obianuju Catherine Udeh also known as DJ switch.
