#EndSARS violence: Panels begin work in states
Remains of the burnt buses at the Oyingbo BRT Terminal
Judicial commissions of inquiries set up by state governments began sitting in some states on Monday.
The Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry for Restitution for Victims of SARS related abuses and the Lekki Tollgate Incident urged victims of the October 20 shooting of #EndSARS protesters by members of the Nigerian Army to come forward with their petitions.
The chairperson of the panel, Justice Doris Okuwobi (Rtd), said that the judicial panel had so far received 15 petitions from abuse victims of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
Okuwobi said the panel is independent of the Lagos State Government and will ensure that individuals with valid complaints of human rights violations will receive immediate compensation.
“If their cases are disposed of in a month or two, compensation, if recommended, should go to the victims immediately to assuage their pain.
“We are looking forward to memoranda from those affected by the unfortunate incident of the shooting at the Lekki Tollgate plaza by the military. The panel has received not less than 15 petitions relating to the disbanded SARS.
“We are indeed ready to commence the public sitting. The petitions are here without the petitioners around, the panel will start full proceedings tomorrow (Oct. 27).
“We are relying on the civil society to assist the panel with credible evidence of the killings at the Lekki Tollgate Plaza.
“This is to ensure that there will be good evidence to assist the panel make appropriate recommendations in respect of all terms of reference of the panel,” she said.
Okuwobi said the panel could not begin proceedings immediately because the nominations for the two youth representatives who are to sit as part of the eight-man panel was sent in late.
She noted that the two nominated youth representatives had not yet been sworn-in and could not join the panel for Monday’s proceedings.
“The panel will most definitely sit tomorrow (Tuesday) because they would have been sworn-in and the composition will be complete,” she said.
Mr Olumide Akpata, the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) who was present at the proceedings said that the NBA would be partnering with the judicial panel and would also be providing pro bono services to affected victims.
“The NBA is here to help victims of the now-disbanded SARS and other human rights violations to properly articulate their petitions to this panel pro bono. This will be done in Lagos and around the country.
“The NBA will participate in observatory capacity to ensure that all goes well and ensure that justice is actually served. Our best hands will be available throughout the sittings of the panel.
“We look forward to justice being done and the recommendations of the panel for those who have been badly treated by institutions that have been set up to protect them,” Akpata said.
The panel is made up of the Chairman Justice Doris Okuwobi (Rtd), Mr Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN), Mr Taiwo Lakanu, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police and a founding member of SARS.
Other panellists are Mrs Oluwatoyin Odusanya, Director, Lagos State Directorate of Citizen’s Rights and Ms Patience Udoh, a representative of the civil society groups and Mr Segun Awosanya, a human rights activist.
The panel is designated to sit for six months. The sitting days are Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:am to 4:pm and the venue of proceedings is the Lagos Court of Arbitration, No. 1A, Remi Oluwode Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
Lagos panel member faults governors’ visit to Lekki Toll Gate
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and member of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry into the activities of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has faulted the Southwest governors’ visit to the Lekki Toll Plaza, saying it is a usurpation of the powers of the Panel.
In a statement on Monday morning, Mr Adegboruwa contended that since the Panel has been authorised to investigate alleged shooting at the Toll Gate, it is illegal for anyone else to visit the site without the Panel’s approval.
Referencing media reports that a former Lagos State Governor and current Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola (SAN) discovered and took away a hidden camera, Adegboruwa described the Fashola’s conduct as “illegally tampering with exhibits”.
He appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to allow the Panel the full autonomy and independence it needs to operate.
The statement, titled, ‘Usurpation of powers of the panel of inquiry on SARS abuses’ reads:
“On Sunday, October 25, 2020, it was widely publicised that ministers and governors of the South-West visited the Governor of Lagos State on a sympathy tour of structures affected by the wanton looting and destruction that took place last week.
In the course of their visit, they were led to the Lekki Toll Plaza, to assess the situation thereat.
“It was at the same Lekki Toll Plaza that the incident of the alleged shooting of EndSARS protesters was said to have taken place. And based on public outcry, the Governor of Lagos State added the Lekki Toll Plaza incident to the terms of reference of the Judicial Panel that was set up.
“Since the Panel has been vested with jurisdiction over the Lekki Toll Plaza, I verily believe that it is illegal for anyone else to conduct any visit to the said Lekki Toll Plaza in the absence of and without the authority and consent of the Panel.
“It was reported that in the course of the visit, the former governor of Lagos State and the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, discovered a hidden camera, which he took.
“This is a clear case of illegally tampering with exhibits that may become useful to the Panel in the course of its assignment.”
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