Human Rights Activist, Femi Falana (SAN), has said a group named Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 And Beyond (ASCAB), has commenced an investigation into the shooting of peaceful #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State last Tuesday.
Falana, who is the Chairman of the group, said ASCAB has so far identified the barracks where the soldiers who opened fire on protesters were deployed from.
He who made this known on Monday, October 26 in an interview with Arise TV, insisted that soldiers were deployed to the demonstration ground last Tuesday.
Falana stated;
We have already identified the barracks where the soldiers left for Lekki, we have already identified the barracks.
He, however, did not reveal the details of the barracks.
Falana speaking further expressed;
The President was likely to have been told soldiers were ordered so I want to believe that’s why it was not addressed. They said it was a rumour but I think the facts are emerging now, that indeed soldiers went to Lekki, indeed they fired at protesters and indeed some of the protesters at least two have been officially acknowledged to have died from gunshot wounds.
He said ASCAB would establish an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the October 20 shooting of protesters at Lekki toll plaza.
ASCAB shall establish an Independent National Citizen’s Panel of Inquiry under a number of conditions Composition of the Citizen’s Panel of Inquiry shall comprise representatives of credible and identified organisations of the youth that took part in the #Endsars protest movement, including the Feminist Coalition, among others; representatives of credible and tested civil society organisations.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria also lambasted the Federal Government for lacking respect for the rule of law and citizens’ rights to protest.
He said;
The Nigerian government has no respect for the rule of law and has ensured they stave off all forms of protests in the country.
Every designated venue for protest in the country have been fenced by the government to prevent demonstrations.
Giving an example, Falana stated;
In Lagos, the Gani Fawehinmin Square has been fenced while the Unity Fountain in Abuja has also been fenced, and the same government has said citizens have the right to protest.
Tuesday night attack has been condemned by both local and international human rights organisations and personalities.
Read Also: Lekki Tollgate Shooting: Buhari Breaks Silence, Pledges Justice For Dead #EndSARS Protesters
President Muhammadu Buhari in a statement on Monday vowed to ensure justice for “peaceful protesters who lost their lives”.
