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#EndSARS: Sanwo-Olu says trial of Surulere police officers has started, victims to testify next week
The Governor has announced that the trial of the police officers who were involved in the attack on #EndSARS protesters.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced that the trial of the erring police officers who were allegedly involved in the attack on #EndSARS protesters in Surulere and the death of one of them earlier in the week started on Friday, October 16, 2020.
The disclosure was made by the governor through a series of tweets via his official Twitter handle on Saturday, October 17, 2020.
While revealing that some of the victims in the attack attended the trial and are expected to testify before the panel next week, Sanwo-Olu assured that justice will be served.
The governor tweeted, ”I have seen powerful images and videos of the candle for SARS victims, with vigils held across the country. It calls for very sober reflections. Yesterday, the orderly room trial of the police officers involved in the Surulere incident began.
“Some of the victims attended and will testify before the panel next week. Justice will be served. Thank you to the team actively following up and helping victims.”
The Governor acknowledged that there is so much more to be done and will keep sharing the actions that the government is taking in line with his announcements.
Backstory
Nairametrics had earlier reported the arrest and probe of the police officers involved in the attack on protesters in Surulere protests ground.
While making the announcement, the governor listed the 4 police officers involved to include Inspector Bagou Michael, Inspector Ekpoudom Etop, Sgt Nnamdi Majura, and Sgt Akinyemi Benson. He also announced the setting up of a Panel of Enquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS in Lagos state.
I have seen powerful images and videos of the #CandleForSARSVictims vigils held across the country. It calls for very sober reflections.
Yesterday, the orderly room trial of the police officers involved in the surulere incident began.
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 17, 2020
What to expect
One of the conditions given by EndSARS protesters in Lagos for suspension of the protests is the arrest and prosecution of the police officers who were actively involved in the attack of peaceful protesters in the Surulere area of Lagos state, as well as around the country.
The protesters have recorded some wins recently but will stop at nothing to see all their demands met.
Business
AfCFTA to reduce illegal gold mining in Nigeria – Minister of Mines
The Minister of Mines and Steel says that illegal gold mining would be stemmed by the implementation of AfCFTA.
The Nigerian Government announced that the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would help reduce illegal mining in the country and also standardize Mining practices in Nigeria.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, at the NAN forum in Abuja on Sunday.
The Minister disclosed that the mining sector was ignored by the Federal Government after oil was discovered, which made it possible for artisanal miners to venture into the sector.
“Right now, many Nigerians are into artisanal mining and this was caused by the fact that when oil was discovered, Nigeria moved away from mining, which was the mainstream of the economy.
“Before oil and gas, Nigeria relied on coal and tin; we were exporting and were indeed, quoted on the London Metal Exchange.
“And that is basically what was giving Nigeria money in those days before oil came but when oil came, we moved away. We left mining behind,” he said.
READ: Aviation Minister orders airline operators to ensure rights of persons with disabilities
He added that the most mined commodity in Nigeria by artisanal miners is gold, which has created a lucrative black market for international buyers. He also said that with the AfCFTA, documentation of mining exports would be required, reducing illegal outflows.
“Gold is the most traded mineral in Nigeria and these people mine gold and get nuggets. There are several thousands of such miners, when you aggregate what they mine, it comes in large volume and several kilos of gold,” he said.
“To know the extent of the money they make in the gold business, they hire private jets to take them out illegally because they realise a lot of money.
“At the rate gold is selling, one ounce of gold is selling for $2,200 and by the time you carry a thousand kilogrammes, you are making several billions of naira.
“But with AfCFTA coming into effect, we hope that other countries will cooperate with Nigeria because now it is a free trade but there is documentation,” he added.
READ: Gold prices suffer worst week in four months
The Minister said that with AfCFTA going into effect, the FG hopes it will help stem the problem because Nigeria is supposed to trade freely with Africa with documentation.
“We hope that other countries will cooperate with Nigeria. I will not allow such illegal activity to go on within those countries,” he said.
In case you missed it: Nairametrics also reported that the Mining Minister said a Nigerian-Canadian company, mining gold in Nigeria’s Osun State looks set to commence the exportation of gold in June this year.
Business
Insecurity: Nigeria needs to increase military spending – Senator Ali Ndume
Ndume has called on the FG to increase military funding so as to contain the rising insecurity in the country.
Shadrack Fadebi Olaloko
October 20, 2020 at 8:41 am
Please what is the e-mail address of the 8man Lagos state end sars panel to lodge a complaint