THE Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry for Restitution for Victims of SARS related abuses and the Lekki Tollgate Incident, yesterday, urged victims of the October 20 shooting of #EndSARS protesters by Army personnel to come forward with their petitions.
This came on a day a member of the panel, Mr. Ebun-olu Adegboruwa, SAN, said that the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, may have tampered with exhibits at the scene of the Lekki shooting in Lagos State.
Similarly, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George, yesterday, condemned the killings of some youths at Lekki toll gate during the protest against police brutality.
Chairperson of the panel, Justice Doris Okuwobi (retd), who spoke during the panel’s sitting, said that the judicial panel had so far received 15 petitions from abused victims of the disbanded SARS.
Okuwobi said that 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.
She said: “If their cases are disposed off in a month or two, compensation, if recommended, should go to the victims immediately to assuage their pains.
“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.”
Lagos Assembly sets up Ad-hoc c’ttee on damages
On its part, the Lagos State House of Assembly, yesterday, set up an Ad-Hoc Committee to ascertain the level of damage and offer suggestions.
The House also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intensify the move for the creation of state police.
Members of the Committee are Deputy Speaker, Wasiu Sanni-Eshinlokun, Abiodun Tobun, Rotimi Olowo, Ajani Owolabi, Ganiyu Okanlawon, Victor Akande, Rasheed Makinde, Ibrahim Layode and Akeem Shokunle.
The House had embarked on an inspection tour of the scenes of the carnage which include the Lagos High Court, BRT Oyingbo Terminal, Fagba, Isokoko and Pen Cinema Police Stations, Oba Akiolu’s Palace, City Hall and Public Works Corporation.
While debating on the issue, members took turns to condemn the carnage and death of the protesters at the Lekki Tollgate.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa, who commiserated with victims of the looting and vandalisation, urged Lagosians to protect their properties.
He said: “The events that have taken over our state and by extension Nigeria within the past two weeks regarding the #EndSARS protests and its aftermath are such that call for concerns in their entirety.
“The Lagos House of Assembly was the first in the nation to identify with the cause of the youths asking for an end to police brutality in the nation and we threw our weight behind the movement.”
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