The Lagos State Governor has assured that the state government will fully disclose to the public the report of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Enquiry and Restitution on #EndSARS and police brutality.
This is as the state government awaits the final report of the judicial panel which just concluded its sitting a few days ago after an initial extension.
This was made known by Governor Sanwo-Olu on Thursday just as he spoke on the arduous task of rebuilding the state, one year after Lagos was hit by a wave of arsonist attacks resulting from EndSARS protests.
What the Lagos State Governor is saying
The governor said that the state government would not try to cover up the recommendations of the panel, whether it is in its favour or not as the panel report would be helpful in strengthening true reconciliation and preventing the re-occurrence of violence in the State.
Gov. Sanwo-Olu said the panel was set up to look into allegations of human rights abuses against the police and also determine the cause of coordinated attacks on Lagos, noting that the panel’s final report would be fully implemented.
Sanwo-Olu said, “The panel concluded its sittings about three days ago and has asked for time to put the reports together behind closed doors. We do not know the content of the report, but we want to say publicly that, upon the handover of the report, we will be making it public. We will not cover up anything. This is not who we are and that is not what our Government stands for. We will make full disclosure of whatever recommendations that the panel will come up with. I assure citizens of Lagos that we will not leave anything to chance.”
Speaking on the arrest of some youths that participated in a drive-through EndSARS memorial protest at the Lekki Tollgate on Wednesday, the governor disclosed that he had ordered an unconditional release of those detained by the police, except one person who was caught with dangerous weapons at the scene.
He said, “Yesterday (Wednesday), we saw a protest in Lagos and everybody that was arrested in connection with the protest have all been released, except an individual that was caught with dangerous weapons and who confessed to the police that he joined the protest to cause mayhem.’’
He commended the police for being alive with its responsibility to identify and isolate troublemakers from among law-abiding people who conduct themselves in line with the laws.
Sanwo-Olu, again, extended a hand of fellowship to the youth to be stakeholders in the development of the State, while reiterating his commitment to reconciliation. He urged them to join the rebuilding effort in order to restore the operating capacity of institutions affected in the violence.
Speaking on the rebuilding effort, the Governor said the destruction had slowed down operational activities of the affected public institutions, but stressed that the State Government would not shy away from its responsibility to rebuild the facilities and restore their operating capacity.
He said: “It is exactly a year ago today when Lagos was hit by violence in the aftermath of the EndSARS protests. Lagos witnessed massive destruction of infrastructure, iconic buildings, transport infrastructure, police station and others.
“Today being a year after the event, there is no better time to say how difficult it has been for us as a State and how committed it has been for us. As tough as it is, the Government will certainly not shy away from its responsibility. We see the incident as a challenge and we will fix it with everything that we have.”
What you should know
- Recall that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had set up the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry to look into allegations of human rights abuses against the police and also determine the cause of coordinated attacks on Lagos, noting that the panel’s final report would be fully implemented.
- The proceedings at the Judicial Panel came to an end on Monday, October 18, 2021, with the panel awarding N148.2 million as compensation to 23 victims of police brutality.
- The panel had previously awarded a total of N262 million as compensation to 47 petitioners.
- With the new compensations, a total of (N410.2M million) had been given to 70 petitioners as compensation.
