ENDSARS

Lagos judicial panel rejects LCC’s request to take back Lekki Tollgate

LCC’s request to take back Lekki Tollgate has been rejected by the Lagos State judicial panel of inquiry.

Published

1 month ago

November 3, 2020

The Judicial Panel of Inquiry which was set up by the Lagos State Government to probe police brutality and the alleged shooting of #EndSARS protesters by soldiers on October 20, 2020, at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos has turned down the request of the Lekki Concession Company (LCC), the operators of the tollgate to take back possession of the tollgate.

While declining the request by LCC, the Chairman of the panel, retired Justice Doris Okuwobi, in a short ruling on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, said the tollgate plaza would still remain closed.

READ: LCC strikes back, says many e-tag users owe money from February glitch

The judge said the panel might have a need to pay another visit to the tollgate plaza after watching the video footage from a surveillance camera submitted by the LCC on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

The legal counsel for LCC, Rotimi Seriki, had urged the panel to allow the firm to take over the tollgate plaza to evaluate the level of damage for the purpose of insurance claims.

READ: President Buhari to address Nigerians on Lekki toll plaza shootings after investigation

Seriki was reinforcing an earlier request at the proceeding by the LCC Managing Director, Abayomi Omomuwa, who said save for last Friday when he led the panel on a visit to the toll plaza, the place had been inaccessible to LCC management.

Omomuwa pointed out that from what he saw during his last visit on Friday, it would take LCC not less than 6 months to fix the damages on the tollgate plaza as the level of destruction was so much.

READ: #EndSARS: Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution to include Lekki toll gate incident – Sanwo-Olu

While answering a question on how soon the tollgate would resume operation, Omomuwa said, “Any projection made here will just be guesswork. When we went there that day, I saw the level of damage. The whole tolling system is completely destroyed. It will not take anything less than six months to fix. I want to plead that they let us have access so that we can process insurance.”

READ: #EndSARS: US should stand with Nigerian people to demand justice – US Senate leader

Reinforcing Omomuwa’s request, LCC lawyer, Seriki, said, “My humble request is that if the tribunal doesn’t have further need to visit the plaza, the LCC should be permitted to take back possession of the toll plaza for the purpose of evaluation of the damage and commence the process of carrying out necessary repairs.”

But ruling, Justice Okuwobi said the panel agreed that it was necessary for LCC to go and evaluate the level of damage, but we will not grant that access yet. The need may arise for the panel to revisit.

The panel chairman encouraged LCC to make the application after the panel must have watched the video footage submitted by the firm.

Related Topics:#EndSARS LCC Lekki Concession Company

Chike Olisah

Chike Olisah is a graduate of accountancy with over 15 years working experience in the financial service sector. He has worked in research and marketing departments of three top commercial banks. Chike is a senior member of the Nairametrics Editorial Team. You may contact him via his email- [email protected]

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ENDSARS

#EndSARS: Sanwo-Olu gifts families of slain police officers N10 million each

Governor Sanwo-Olu has compensated the families of slain police officers with the sum of N10 million each.

Published

13 hours ago

December 3, 2020

Chidi Emenike

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The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has brought respite to the families of police officers killed during the violence witnessed in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests.

According to the disclosure on the Twitter page of the Lagos State Government, the families were handed a cheque of N10 million each and the children of the slain officers awarded scholarships by the government.

Governor @jidesanwoolu handing over a cheque of 10 million naira each to the families of police officers who lost their lives during the unrest that followed the EndSARS protest and awarding scholarship to their children. @followlsstf @ceolsstf @LagosPoliceng #LASG #SecureLagos pic.twitter.com/XdjPPRsRf7

— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) December 3, 2020

What they are saying: Commenting on the recent development, a tweet by the Lagos State Government read thus: “Governor @jidesanwoolu handing over a cheque of 10 million naira each to the families of police officers who lost their lives during the unrest that followed the EndSARS protest and awarding scholarship to their children.’’

Why this matters: The recent effort by the Governor is in fulfillment of the promise he had earlier made to compensate affected victims of the post-EndSARS protest which led to the loss of lives and valuable properties both in the state and the country at large.

The compensation will be viewed by serving officers as a motivation, aimed at promoting patriotism, loyalty, commitment and dedication to national service.

What you should know

Lagos State Government had earlier set up a N200 million fund for victims of police brutality
As a follow-up, Nairametrics had earlier reported that Lagos State Government offered scholarships to children of slain police officers.

ENDSARS

#EndSARS: Protest hijack was catalysed by fake news – Lai Mohammed

The hijack of #EndSARS protests was catalysed by fake news and disinformation, Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed has said.

Published

6 days ago

November 28, 2020

William Ukpe

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Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, has claimed that the hijack of the #EndSARS protests was catalysed by fake news and disinformation, which spread like wildfire on social media.
The Minister disclosed this during a stakeholders meeting with members of the broadcasting organizations of Nigeria (BON) on Friday in Abuja.

READ: FG plans to spend N336 million on advocacy against hate speech, rape, others in 2021

He said, “The violence that resulted from the hijack of the #EndSARS protest was catalysed by fake news and disinformation, which spread like wildfire on social media. And this did not come to us as a surprise. As far back as 2017, we had been raising the alarm on the risks posed by fake news and disinformation.

“That year, we devoted the National Council on Information to the issue of fake news, hate speech, and disinformation. The following year, in 2018, we launched the national campaign against fake news and disinformation, partnering with a number of print and electronic media organizations.

READ: #EndSARS: Timing of social media regulation is suspicious – Olumide Akpata

“Ladies and gentlemen, social media was used to guide arsonists and looters to certain properties, both public and private, during the #EndSARS violence. Then, pictures of persons, including some celebrities and even non-Nigerians, who were supposedly killed at the Lekki Toll Gate by soldiers, were circulated widely, only for those persons to refute such claims.

“This brings me to the issue of social media regulation. You must have heard about the hoopla this issue has generated in the media. Well, I want to confirm that we will definitely act to ensure a responsible use of social media. You may call that regulation.

READ: FG reiterates commitment to implement reform of broadcasting code

He added that the FG had no plans to stifle press freedom in Nigeria and had no intention of shutting down the internet.

“This government has no plan to stifle free speech, neither do we have any intention of shutting down the internet. Social media has come to stay, and those who use it responsibly have nothing to fear.

“But we cannot give the same assurance for those who weaponize social media. By the way, the issue of regulating social media content is generating debate around the world, so Nigeria is not an exception,” he said.

READ: #EndSARS: Nothing wrong with social media bill – Ali Ndume

What you should know

Nairametrics reported earlier this month that Lai Mohammed said the Federal Government had no plans of shutting down social media, but must regulate it to prevent the spread of hate speech.

ENDSARS

#EndSARS Sanctions: Nigeria has reached out to the UK Government – Foreign Minister

Onyeama has stated that the FG has reached out to the UK Government over the parliamentary debate on the #EndSARS protests.

Published

1 week ago

November 26, 2020

William Ukpe

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, said that the Nigerian Government has reached out to the UK Government over the parliamentary debate on the #EndSARS protests.

The Minister disclosed this to Newsmen at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Thursday, which was recorded by Channels TV.

READ: Gov. Makinde presents N266 billion budget to Oyo State House of Assembly

He added that the UK Parliament did not speak for the UK government, and that the UK had heard the Nigerian government’s side regarding the incident at Lekki.

READ: FG reacts to CNN report, describes Lekki shooting as massacre without bodies

“On the issue of the UK parliament, yes, we have reached out to the UK government on this question. The meeting that took place was of Parliamentarians, they don’t speak for the UK government and the UK government which acts for the United Kingdom has also heard the side of the (Nigerian) government regarding everything that happened.

READ: #EndSARS: Bankers’ Committee, Private sector lead Lagos rebuilding team to raise trust fund

“So we are in touch with them and engaging with them. But, of course, as in any democracy, the Members of Parliament are able to also air their views, but what is important is that a balanced picture is made available to them all before they take any decision,” Onyeama said.

READ: DPR approves new Liquefied Petroleum Gas guidelines for investors, operators

What you should know

Nairametrics reported earlier this week that the British Parliament had announced it would consider a petition by some groups and individuals, asking it to apply sanctions against the Nigerian government and officials for alleged human rights violations during the #EndSARS protest and Lekki shooting incident.

Also, the presidency earlier disclosed that the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, had a meeting with the UK Special Envoy for Humanitarian Affairs, Nick Dyer, accompanied by the UK High Commissioner to Nigeria.