The Lagos State Government has called for restraints from citizens with their reactions over the the recently submitted report of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police brutality and shootings at Lekki Tollgate.
The comment by Lagos state follows the various reactions that have trailed the submission of the report of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for victims of SARS related abuses and other matters.
This was made known by the state government through a press statement issued by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, on November 17, 2021.
What the Lagos State Commissioner of Information and Strategy is saying
Omotosho in the statement urged members of the public not to use the arguments in the public space to nullify the good intentions of the government in setting up the panel, which was encouraged to do its job.
The statement from Omotosho reads, ‘’The Lagos State Government has noted the various reactions that have followed the submission of the report of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and Other Matters.
‘’There have been arguments in the public space over the report. There is need for us to restrain ourselves from nullifying the good intentions of the government in setting up this Panel, which was well encouraged to do its job – a fact that was acknowledged by the Panel.
‘’In accordance with the Tribunal of Inquiry Law 2015, a committee has been set up to bring up a White Paper on the report to determine the next line of action. At the appropriate time, the Government will make known its views on all the issues raised by the Panel through the release of a White Paper.’’
What you should know
- Recall that on Monday, November 15, 2021, the Judicial Panel probing allegations of police brutality in Lagos State as well as the shootings at Lekki Tollgate during the #EndSARS protest in October 2020, in a brief ceremony, submitted its findings to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.
- According to a leaked version of the report, the Judicial Panel allegedly indicted the Nigerian Army for shooting, injuring and killing unarmed helpless and defenceless protesters, without provocation or justification, while they were waving the Nigerian Flag and singing the National Anthem.
- The panel said that the manner of assault and killing could in context be described as a massacre adding that the conduct of the Nigerian Army was exacerbated by its refusal to allow ambulances to render medical assistance to victims who required such assistance.
- The Lagos State Governor, Babajude Sanwo-Olu, subsequently, set up a committee to review the panel’s report, which is yet to be officially released, and come up with a white paper report.
