The Lagos State Government has released its White Paper on the report by the EndSARS panel that investigated the Lekki toll gate incident of October 20, 2020.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu faulted the panel’s report that nine persons were killed at the toll gate when soldiers stormed the protest ground to disperse the protesters. One of the recommendations of the panel was rejected.
In the statement titled, ‘Highlight of the Lagos Government White Paper On The Lekki Incident Investigation’, the government described the claim of the panel that nine persons were shot dead as “assumptions and speculations”.
He added that “Out of the 32 Recommendations made by the JPI in its Report of 15th November 2021, Government accepted 11, rejected one and accepted six with modifications.
“Fourteen recommendations fall outside the powers of the Lagos State Government and will be forwarded to the Federal Government for consideration. Let the healing begin.”
The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS-related Abuses and Other Matters had on November 15, 2021, submitted its report after which Sanwo-Olu set up a White Paper committee.
The four-member committee was led by Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN).
The judicial panel was inaugurated on October 19, 2020, to examine complaints of citizens against human rights abuses by the police. But following the incident at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020, the Terms of Reference of the panel were expanded to cover that incident.
Onigbanjo was joined by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Tolani Oshodi, Special Adviser, Works, and Infrastructure, Engr Aramide Adeyoye and Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, Segun Dawodu.
The leaked report of the judicial panel, stated that at least nine #EndSARS protesters were murdered at the Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2020.
The report listed 48 casualties of the Lekki incident of October 20, 2020. Among the purported 48 casualties, 24 sustained gunshot injuries, while 15 others were assaulted by security agents.
During the period of the hearing, the panel treated 235 petitions taking testimonies of complainants, experts, witnesses, and lawyers. It awarded N410 million as compensation to 70 victims.