The Center for Leadership and Good Governance and Movement for Justice has raised several questions regarding the conduct and outcome of the report presented by the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry, this was revealed through a press statement signed by its spokesperson, Comrade Elijah Ajanu, titled “EndSARS: Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry and the many half Truth”.
According to the Comrade Elijah Ajanu, “Lagos, more than any other places, witnessed wanton destruction of public and private assets in the violence that trailed the protests. The coordinated arson that trailed the EndSARS protests became a wake-up call and the governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, without further hesitation, constituted a Judicial Panel of Inquiry into the events of October 20, 2020 and of course, reports of previous cases of Police Brutality against citizens of the state.”
It was further stated that it was in the sincerity of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu that he nominated notable persons cutting across the judiciary, civil society, media and the youth constituency as members of the panel.
They also added that “sadly, despite the commitment of the state government towards ensuring that the Judicial Panel provides justice for all and discharge its duties with all sense of sincerity, certain individuals, allowed the manipulation of the works of the panel, and its eventual recommendations, by external influence, thereby altering the integrity of the process, while producing many recommendations that are premised on half-truths, and inconsistent evidences.”
“Despite the glaring inconsistencies and falsehood, that characterized the report of the judicial panel, we cannot but appreciate the governor of Lagos, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for accepting the report, and proceeding to release a white paper consideration of the panel’s report, with the clear intention to execute the credible recommendations of the panel.”
Some of the questions raised by the group in view of the release of the panel’s report are,
i. Why should we trust Mr Ebun-olu Adegboruwa, a member of the panel, who leaked official documents, before it got to the Table of the Governor who constituted the Panel.
ii. Is Mr Ebun-olu Adegboruwa a victim or a jurist in this matter, why crying more than the ‘victims’, even before the release of the White paper by the Lagos State government.
iii. Why did the panel refuse to speak or make recommendations about the destruction of Lagos aftermath of the protests?
iv. Does it mean that only few lives matter, and not all lives matter?
v. How many Judicial Panel of Inquiry enjoyed the Independence granted the Lagos panel by Governor Sanwo-Olu.
vi. Where is the Justice for the Policemen who lost their lives and the Police stations and Properties destroyed during #EndSARS?
The group also encourage the Lagos State government to focus on reform: stopping abusive police practices, ensuring justice for victims and overhauling law enforcement while also commending the Babajide Sanwo Olu led government for leading the state well as it seeks a proper channel and platform for healing and reconciliation.
