Lagos State Government has released its White Paper on the report by #EndSARS panel that probed Lekki toll gate incident of October 20, 2020.
According to the government, 11 out of 32 recommendations made by the panel, have been accepted, six others were accepted but with modifications, while one was rejected.
The document also says 14 of the recommendations fall outside the powers of the state and will consequently be forwarded to the Federal Government for consideration.
Recall that a leaked version of the report had indicted the Nigerian Army and Lagos State Government in the killing of unarmed protesters and a subsequent cover-up of the incident at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020.
However, after the panel submitted its findings to Governor Sanwo-Olu, he set up a four-member committee led by Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), giving them two weeks to raise the White Paper on the reports submitted by the panel.
At a press briefing earlier today, the Governor said the leakage was “regrettable”.
He added;
While I commend the panel for undertaking its task to the best of its abilities, it is however regrettable that the panel’s work and the leakage of an unauthorized version of the report have generated much tension. Sadly, a deep wound has been reopened.
The governor, however, assured Lagosians that his administration remains committed to justice and truth.
Speaking further, he announced that he had initiated a peace walk as part of efforts to ensure harmony in the state.
Sanwo-Olu stated;
To quicken recovery and engender a better understanding, I will lead ‘A Walk for Peace’ in December to herald the healing of the land.
I have extended an open invitation to the youths, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society groups, students and the media, as well as other stakeholders to join me in this peace walk.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu government faulted the panel’s report that nine persons were killed at the toll gate when soldiers stormed the protest ground to disperse the protesters.
In the White Paper on Tuesday night, the government described the claim of the panel that nine persons were shot dead as “assumptions and speculations”.
According to the leaked report of the judicial panel, at least nine #EndSARS protesters were killed at the Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2020.
The report listed 48 names as those who were casualties of the Lekki incident of October 20, 2020.
Among the 48 casualties listed, 24 sustained gunshot injuries, while 15 others were assaulted by soldiers and police.
The judicial panel was inaugurated on October 19, 2020, to look into complaints of citizens against human rights abuses by the police. But following the incident at Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020, the Terms of Reference of the panel were expanded to cover that incident.
The panel sat for over one year, listening to testimonies of petitioners, witnesses, experts, and lawyers.
The panel treated 235 petitions and awarded N410 million as compensation to 70 victims.
Below is a copy of the 22-page White Paper on the report of the incident at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020;
