Again, Nigerian Army refuses to present officers at Lagos #EndSARS panel
The Nigerian Army has yet again turned down an invitation to present soldiers involved in the October 20, 2020 incident before the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry to answer questions on their involvement in the shooting of #EndSARS protesters.
The Army repeatedly failed to enter any representation at the panel’s ongoing sessions.
This comes a month after the panel held that it cannot force the army to appear before it to answer for its role in the October 20 shooting at Lekki Toll plaza.
Panel chairperson Doris Okuwobi said at a session: “We cannot force them to come. We will take on the petitions as if they are not present, I made that very clear in the ruling. We have tried our best, served the legal summons, served the Chief of Army Staff, beyond that, there is no more the panel can do.”
In January, the Lagos State Judicial Panel said fresh summons would be served on the Nigerian Army to ensure that some of its officers present their testimony on the Lekki toll gate incident.
Peoples Gazette reported that the Army pulled out of the Judicial Panel as further evidence showing soldiers opening fire on peaceful protesters last October surfaced.
S.N. Agwhe, a member of army counsel to the panel, revealed that the military disbanded its legal team for the panel.
The spokesman for 81 Division, Lagos, Mr. Olaniyi Osoba asked the Gazette to direct their inquiries to the army headquarters.
The army had been summoned before the judicial panel of inquiry after the incident, with petitioners alleging that soldiers opened fire on peaceful protesters, killing and injuring several protesters.
The Nigerian Army admitted being at the scene of the Lekki shootings after multiple initial denials. It denied opening fire on the protesters, saying that the soldiers deployed were on the scene to enforce the curfew placed by the Lagos State governor but didn’t open fire on peaceful protesters.
The attack on the peaceful protesters was carried out by officers identified to be of Nigerian Army 81 Division, Lagos.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
UNICEF tasks Kano, Jigawa, Katsina on improved primary healthcare
He stressed the need for the governments of the three states to ensure an integrated package of primary health services for families in one functional health facility.
States
Driver arrested for ‘cramming’ 15 children into car in Lagos
Mr Hundeyin said the driver, who was contracted to transport the children to a beach, locked four in the car trunk and crammed 11 others together in the vehicle.
Rights
Okuama Killing: Army releases detained traditional ruler
“While culpability has not been conclusively established against the traditional ruler, there is insufficient evidence to exonerate anyone at this stage,” said the army.
Faith
Cleric seeks divorce, accuses wife of stripping him naked in church, leaking his secrets
The cleric accused his wife of abandoning their only child and travelling to Libya, where she has resided for two years.
Lagos
Lagos man remanded in prison custody for raping daughter
The Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday remanded a 45-year-old man, Samson Adedokun, in prison custody for defiling his 16-year-old daughter.
Lagos
Driver arrested for stealing N2.5 million minibus
The Lagos police command on Friday arraigned Muyiwa Edun, 40, before the Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court for stealing an N2.5 million Suzuki minibus.