A general view of the Ikoyi-Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos on October 21, 2020, that was burnt the previous night after security forces shot protestors a few kilometres away from there. – Nigerians were in shock on October 21, 2020 after a deadly shooting of peaceful protesters in the biggest city Lagos that Amnesty International blamed on security forces.<br />There was no immediate death toll from the incident on the evening of October 20, 2020, in which witnesses and NGO’s said armed gunmen opened fire on a crowd of over 1,000 people to disperse them after a curfew was imposed to end spiralling protests over police brutality. (Photo by SOPHIE BOUILLON / AFP) |
• Lagos Relaxes Curfew
The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Enquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuse and Other Matters, yesterday, invited the Managing Director of Lekki Concession Company (LCC), Mr Abayomi Omomuwa, to testify before it over the event of October 20, 2020, where soldiers allegedly fired at and killed peaceful #ENDSARS protesters at Lekki tollgate.
This is as the Lagos State government, yesterday, announced that the curfew imposed on the state following the break down of law and order during the protests would now be observed from 10pm till 6am.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, made the announcement in a statement.He said: “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu praises Lagosians for observing the curfew, which is expected to restore normalcy in our communities.
“He urges all Lagosians to go about their businesses in peace, even as they shun actions that can threaten our unity.
“The governor advises purveyors of fake news to stop causing disaffection among Lagosians, who are well known for being peace-loving and friendly.”
The judicial panel, which visited the tollgate yesterday, found five bullet shells at the scene. The head of the legal department of LCC, Mr. Gbolahan Agboluaje, told the panel during its sitting that they had no legal representation as they got the letter of invitation late last Wednesday.
He said: “When we received the letter of invitation on Wednesday, we discovered that three things were required, which are the footage, the investigation report and any other document. We have the footage, we have not done the investigation report and we don’t have other documents.”
Agboluwaje then asked for an adjournment to enable them get a legal representation, stressing: “We would be happy if we are given time to get a legal representation; we got a very short notice.”
He stated that due to the power outage, they recorded the footage at the Lekki tollgate late. When the Chairman of the panel, Justice Doris Okuwobi, asked if they had the footage, Agboluwaje said: “Yes, we are prepared to show the footage.”
Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN) also announced his appearance at the proceedings to represent Lagos State government.
“I have the instructions to represent the Lagos state government in this proceedings,” he said. Justice Okuwobi, however, said the business of the day was to take evidence of the witnesses and visit the Lekki tollgate.
She then consulted with other members of the panel and ordered that members should visit the tollgate and return to the venue of the sitting.
Thereafter, the panel visited the Military Hospital at Awolowo Way, Falomo Area, where they were initially prevented from entering the premises because they did not give a prior notice but were later allowed into the facility.
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