Lekki Toll Gate: How Lagos End SARS Panel Is Being Frustrated – Member, Adegboruwa

The general public has been alerted by legal practitioner, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, of attempts to frustrate the outcome of the probe of the Nigerian Army invasion of the Lekki toll gate.

According to Adegboruwa who is a member of the Lagos Panel of Enquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS, there are plans to block the panel “from reaching meaningful conclusions” on the shootings, promising to provide details.The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) raised the alarm on Saturday in a terse statement.

Recall that on October 20, 2020, troops marched to the Lekki tollgate and opened fire to disperse hundreds of protesting Nigerians.

The youth-led nationwide demonstration forced the Federal Government to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a notorious police unit.Across the country, SARS has been indicted for arbitrary killings, detention and disappearance of scores of civilians.

On February 6, the Lagos panel chaired by Justice Doris Okuwobi, permitted the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) to recommence operations at the toll gate.The retired judge ruled after another application by Demola Seriki, counsel to the LCC. Some members of the jury opposed it.

Okuwobi, DIG Taiwo Lakanu (Police), Lucas Koyejo (National Human Rights Commission), Segun Awosanya (Segalink) and Oluwatoyin Odusanya (Citizens Right) voted in LLC’s favour.

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), Patience Udoh (Civil society), Rinuola Oduala and Temitope Majekodunmi (Youths reps) voted against.

The day’s sitting witnessed drama as Okwuobi and others walked out after Adegboruwa raised objection to the ruling.Around the time, Oduala, a vocal End SARS advocate, stepped down from the panel, vowing not to be part of “a cover-up”.

The Lekki toll gate and the one linking Lekki and Ikoyi are still free for passage.

The Lagos government bowed to the anger of youths who vowed to resume protests if the moneymakers are reopened before the end of the investigation and release of the full report.