Nigerian youths have opposed the oath of secrecy issued to their representatives on Lagos State judicial panel set up to probe the activities of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the State.
The judicial body was constituted by the state government on October 15 in response to the agitation of the youths about the brutality of the men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
Rinu Oduala and Temitope Majekodunmi were then ao pointed on Tuesday to join Lagos Panel of Enquiry and Restitution for Victims as youth representatives.
However, during the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday afternoon, an oath of secrecy was given to them and a copy of the document was shared on social media, sparking an outrage.
Many Nigerians on Twitter stated that they are youth representatives so as to give feedbacks to the public on the details of hearings.
Following backlash, the panel reportedly withdrew the oath before swearing in the youth reps.
Moe Odele, an EndSARS advocate and co-founder of the, gave the update.
The lawyer tweeted;
This has been rejected after concerns were raised and a dialogue was held this morning. The panelists will not be signing this document.
This has been rejected after concerns were raised and a dialogue was had this morning. The panelists will not be signing this document. https://t.co/0WPsL90hAH
— Moe (@Mochievous) October 27, 2020
Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President, Olumide Apata, journalists, observers, among others are at the venue of the sitting.
Oduala, Majekodunmi and other panel members are tasked with listening to the submissions of SARS survivors, interrogating the accused personnel, and determining the veracity of all claims.
They will also recommend punishments for the guilty and appropriate compensation for the victims.
The panel will sit on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm at the Lagos Court of Arbitration at Remi Olowude Street, in Lekki.
See some reactions to the path of secrecy from Twitter users below;
If Lagos asked members of the Panel to sign an oath of secrecy, just know there’s no depth these people will not sink into to cover the truth.
RT this to join me to insist that:
ALL PANEL SESSIONS MUST BE TELEVISED.Otherwise they will scam us o.
Cc @mrmacaronii @falzthebahdguy— #OurFavOnlineDoc 🩺🇳🇬🇬🇧 (@DrOlufunmilayo) October 27, 2020
There is absolutely no need for folks joining this panel in Lagos state to swear an oath of secrecy. It just makes everything look suspect from the get go. Trust levels is currently at the lowest level, @jidesanwoolu. LASG should be doing everything to build trust! #EndSARS
— Dr. Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) October 27, 2020
Why are independent judicial panel members swearing oath of secrecy to @jidesanwoolu for a public hearing?#LagosJudicialPanel#PoliceBrutality#LekkiMassacre #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/5QUXnZUCeU
— Adetutu Balogun, MBA (@Tutsy22) October 27, 2020
I don’t understand the need for oath of secrecy. @SavvyRinu And Majekodunmi are the representatives of the youth, we stand solidly with them. They should not sign any oath of secrecy. @jidesanwoolu should actually see that the panel is public and televised. #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/Oe7Tf7aBmb
— Bamikole Omishore (Banks) (@MrBanksOmishore) October 27, 2020
I’ve just received confirmation the shameful “oath of secrecy” document was indeed from the Lagos State Govt but it has now been rejected by panel members.
Few questions:
1. WHY did it come up at all?
2. WHOSE idea was it?
3. WHY is Govt so desperate to hide the truth?Shame 🤦♀️
— #OurFavOnlineDoc 🩺🇳🇬🇬🇧 (@DrOlufunmilayo) October 27, 2020
Sanwo olu, which one be OATH OF SECRECY again? We go call Becky Anderson for you o
— Samuel Mbah (@Mbahdeyforyou) October 27, 2020
They shot Nigerian youths dead in the open, captured on camera for the whole world to see. When it is time to ask serious questions, the judicial panel is talking about "oath of secrecy." The clownery
— Kelvin Odanz (@MrOdanz) October 27, 2020
