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LAGOS STATE JUDICIAL PANEL ON POLICE BRUTALITY AND RESTITUTION IN THE EYES OF AN OBSERVER

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5 years ago

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MOUN Lagos State Council rejoice with His Excellency Mr.Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu
LAGOS STATE JUDICIAL PANEL ON POLICE BRUTALITY AND RESTITUTION IN THE EYES OF AN OBSERVER
Following the #EndSARS protests which rocked most parts of the country
in October 2020, the federal government in the heat of the protest
acceded to the 5 point demands of the protesters in response to their
agitations and as a means of encouraging them to leave the streets
which had taken a negative toll on social, economic and political life
of some states due to the total lockdown occasioned by the blockade of
roads and highways for days and its attendant violation of the rights
of other law abiding citizens to free movement and extortion of
motorists and commuters by some protesters at roads points before they
could secure safe passage.
But lo and behold, the protesters turned a deaf ear to the call for
dialogue from the federal government and well meaning Nigerians and
groups who originally bought into the ideals of the agitations and
started shifting the goal post in the middle of the game by coming up
with new demands to the authorities, which pointed to the fact that
the protest as genuine as it seemed, had now transformed into the
Biblical hand of Esau, but the voice of Jacob.
This refusal of the protesters to embrace dialogue and peaceful
resolution of the demands of the protest as proposed by the federal
government saw the protest turned more violent and criminality
perpetrated with the invasion, looting and burning of police stations,
private homes, offices, release of cell inmates, stealing of arms and
ammunition as well as attack and killing of law enforcement agents and
innocent citizens.
Before we go further, we must quickly recollect that days after the
commencement of the #EndSARS protest and particularly on the12th of
October 2020, the protest had taken a criminal dimension with the
killing of two persons including a policeman in Surulere and the
attack on the Anti kidnapping unit station of the Nigeria police force
Surulere division, the burning of police and exhibit vehicles, the
release of kidnap suspects from police detention facility and the
burning down of private properties in Surulere area of Lagos state.
Unfortunately, due to the glaring breakdown of law and order,
occasioned by the attack on security agencies and formations and the
attendant carting away of arms and ammunition and the release of
inmates from police detention facilities with the associated loss of
human lives and destruction of public and private properties and the
attack on correctional facilities with the motive to free inmates, the
Lagos State government was left with no other option but to declare a
statewide curfew which was expected to commence at 4pm but was later
shifted to 9pm on the 20th October, 2020.
In the process of enforcing the curfew in Lagos state in line with
statutory procedure, the Nigeria military was drafted in to restore
law and order. The Nigeria Army in line with its constitutional
mandate was drafted to all parts of the state as evidenced from the
military testimony at the Lagos state judicial panel with images and
videos, but the area which attracted local and global attention was
the confrontation of the military with #EndSARS protesters at one of
their famous convergence point, the Lekki tollgate plaza on the Lekki
Epe expressway corridor on the 20th of October, 2020 which was
described by some section of the media as a massacre of peaceful
protesters.
Subsequently, the threat to national security was heightened by the
criminal invasion and attack of government institutions and private
warehouses across the country by protesters who vandalized and stole
Covid-19 palliatives and everything in sight as a result of the
tension generated by the Lekki tollgate plaza incident which attracted
local and international attention with a call for justice not only for
the victims of SARS related abuses, but also for an investigation of
the Lekki tollgate plaza incident to unravel the truth of what
transpired on the 20th October, 2020, though latter developments
changed the narrative of the occurrence from Massacre to Incident in
the public domain.
Thereafter, the Lagos state government in obedience to the National
Economic Council (NEC) meeting communiqué and in line with one of the
5 for 5 demands of #EndSARS protesters, directives that all states of
the federation should set up a judicial panel of inquiry into SARS
abuses and compensation for victims, established its own judicial
panel of inquiry into SARS abuses and compensation and even extended
its mandate to include an inquiry into the October 20th 2020 Lekki
tollgate plaza incident.
The Lagos State judicial panel of inquiry on restitution for victims
of SARS related abuses and other matters was inaugurated by the Lagos
state Governor on 19th of October, 2020 and comprised nine members
from various strata of the society and headed by a retired judge of
impeccable character and integrity.
The Lagos state judicial panel on restitution for victims of SARS
related abuses and other matters has since 27th October, 2020
commenced sitting by conducting hearings into petitions by victims of
SARS, Nigeria police and other security agencies abuses among other
matters. Fortunately, the work of the panel has been aided by the
provisions of free legal services for indigent petitioners by the
Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and it’s coverage by the media and other
interests which is highly commendable.
As an observer at the daily sittings of the panel, one must commend
the professionalism, neutrality, diligence, thoroughness and
enthusiasm for fairness and justice conduct of the panel in the
discharge of its mandate so far, that deserves huge commendation
A lot of petitions numbering over 300 have been brought before the
Lagos State judicial panel even with some cases dating back as far as
1979, 42 years ago of alledged abuse of citizens right by the security
agencies. However, one is very grateful for this golden opportunity
obliged most especially indigent victims of security agencies abuses
of which the narration by the direct victims themselves or family
members as well as the emotional trauma and pains suffered among other
inconveniences is better imagined.
A critical process of the Lagos state judicial panel work, is that
petitioners have a right to a counsel in case they can afford the
services of one or access the NBA offer of free legal services or tell
their stories themselves, but at the end of the day, counsel from the
security agency most especially the Nigeria police force who are the
major respondent in most of the cases, cross examine petitioners and
their witness to ascertain the truth of their testimony.
As we write, petitions hearing at the panel has been a mix bag of some
sort, with some petitions at the decision stage while some are still
being heard and some have been struck out due to the voluntary
withdrawal by the petitioner or due to the fact that the crux of the
petition has been decided by a court of competent jurisdiction or
still ongoing in court or due to lack of diligent prosecution by
petitioners who repeatedly failed to turn up or be represented at
least on three occasions.
But while we await the decision of the panel on those petitions for
which counsels have adopted written address, a sore point of the
allegations of abuse of citizens rights by the disbanded SARS, is the
recurring pattern of crude invasion, extortion, inhuman torture and
indiscriminate shooting to death allegedly perpetrated as narrated by
victims or family members which is heart wrenching and traumatizing
for watchers of the panel proceedings. Infact, victims or family
members apart from providing documentary evidence of torture or death,
also go as far as removing their clothes in the dock to reveal broken,
damaged or deformed limbs as a result of the torture or indiscriminate
shooting by the disbanded SARS operatives. The testimony of some
petitioners who were victims of the disbanded SARS torture, almost
moved one to tears to inquire that how can man exploit his position
and authority to dehumanize fellow human being? Infact, it was
unbelievable, but the facts as evidenced by supporting documents and
images were incontrovertible and admitted as exhibit.
While the panel is yet to commence full proceedings into the petitions
of alledged victims of the Lekki tollgate plaza incident of 20th
October, 2020 well over 4 months after inauguration due to the absence
of the Nigeria Army who have made just an appearance with the
testimony of Brigadier General Ibrahim Taiwo who corroborated his
evidence in chief of the Nigeria military role in the restoration of
law and order across Lagos state and with particular reference to the
Lekki Epe expressway corridor with images and video evidence, the
Nigeria Army have been summoned on at least three other occasions, but
have failed to turn up, though the alledged victims of that incident
have shown up at the panel with their counsels and it is expected that
the hearings into their petitions will commence at the next and final
adjourned date for the military to appear to defend itself and state
its own side of the story.
However, there was a mild drama at the Lagos State judicial panel on
6th of February, 2021 when the panel by majority judgement ordered the
owner of the Lekki tollgate plaza LCC to repossess the facility for
repairs and insurance claims after having been shut out of the company
facility since early October 2020 as a result of its occupation by
#EndSARS protesters and out of respect for the assignment of the panel
which summoned it to assist with relevant materials and testimony in
unraveling the truth of what happened on the said date.
The Lagos State judicial panel by a simple majority of 5 to 4 voted in
favor of Lekki Concession Company (LCC) to repossess the tollgate
plaza based on its earlier ruling that the decision to repossess the
tollgate plaza by LCC will be dependent on its receipt of the forensic
analysis of the tollgate plaza by experts contracted to undertake the
exercise.
That ruling by the panel exposed the independence and integrity of the
panel members to vote on issues according to their conscience and
conviction, though people are at liberty to advance their own reason
for the voting decision of members depending on which side of the
divide they belong, but for some of us, that is democracy at work in
which the tenets of while the majority will have their way, the
minority must also have their say, and so, one must give a big kudos
to the panel members for being united, committed and focused on their
mandate despite this division on a critical issue.
As the Lagos panel begins the countdown to the expiration of its
tenure in the next few months, one must reiterate his absolute
confidence and conviction in the competence and ability of the Lagos
State judicial panel on restitution for victims of SARS related abuses
and other matters to dispense justice to the petitions before it and
can only wish it, the best of luck in this national assignment of
healing the wounds of our collective abdication of responsibility.
Thanks.
Yours Sincerely,
Nelson Ekujumi
18th February, 2021
Related Topics:

Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

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Banwo Questions Bwala’s Credibility After Al Jazeera Interview ‎

Published

15 hours ago

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March 12, 2026

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Banwo Questions Bwala’s Credibility After Al Jazeera Interview

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‎Public commentator, Dr. Ope Banwo, has criticised Daniel Bwala, the Presidential Spokesperson on Policy Communication for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following a contentious interview on Al Jazeera, describing the appearance as damaging to the credibility of Nigeria’s public communication.

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‎Bwala had appeared on a programme hosted by journalist Mehdi Hasan, where he faced a series of questions about past statements attributed to him. During the exchange, Hasan presented video clips of previous remarks by the government spokesman and asked him to reconcile them with his responses during the interview.

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‎The exchange, which has since circulated widely online, drew attention after Bwala appeared to dispute statements that were subsequently played back during the programme.

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‎Reacting to the development, Banwo said the episode reflected poorly on Nigeria’s representation on international media platforms.

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‎According to him, the availability of digital records and online archives means public officials must be prepared to defend their past statements whenever they appear on global television.

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‎“In the era of instant fact-checking, any public figure going on international television must assume that every previous statement can be easily retrieved,” Banwo said.

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‎He added that the controversy surrounding the interview was particularly troubling because the contradictions presented during the programme were supported with video evidence.

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‎Banwo noted that while political interviews can be confrontational, government representatives should expect tough questioning when appearing before international audiences.

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‎The founder of Naija Lives Matters also expressed concern over Bwala’s reaction during the interview, especially his claim that he was not informed he would be required to defend his personal record.

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‎“A government spokesman should never be surprised by questions about his own public statements,” Banwo said.

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‎During the programme, Bwala also responded to criticism of Nigeria’s governance challenges by arguing that similar problems exist in other parts of the world.

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‎However, Banwo argued that such comparisons do not address the specific issues raised about Nigeria.

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‎According to him, the episode should serve as a reminder of the importance of preparation and credibility when Nigerian officials appear before international media platforms.

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‎The interview has continued to generate reactions across social media and political commentary circles, with observers debating both the conduct of the interview and the implications for Nigeria’s global image.

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THE IMPERIAL GOLD COIN OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF ATLANTIS UNVEILED AS SYMBOL OF SOVEREIGNTY AND HERITAGE

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19 hours ago

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March 12, 2026

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THE IMPERIAL GOLD COIN OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF ATLANTIS UNVEILED AS SYMBOL OF SOVEREIGNTY AND HERITAGE

 

_[Atlantis City, United Kingdom of Atlantis – March 2026]_ – The United Kingdom of Atlantis proudly announces the introduction of its *Imperial Gold Coin*, a magnificent emblem of sovereignty, authority, and imperial heritage. The exquisite gold coin has been crafted to represent the nation’s regal tradition, economic strength, and the visionary leadership of its monarch.

The centerpiece of the coin features the dignified portrait of *His Imperial Majesty, Professor Solomon Wining*, depicted in full royal regalia. Crowned with a majestic golden crown and adorned with intricately crafted ornaments, the portrait embodies honor, wisdom, and noble leadership befitting a sovereign ruler. The depiction celebrates the monarch’s reign, which is associated with wisdom, development, and the pursuit of justice.

The golden coin itself signifies *prosperity, stability, and the enduring legacy* of the Atlantis Kingdom. Gold, historically a universal symbol of power, wealth, and permanence, reflects the strength and vision of the kingdom’s leadership and its aspirations for lasting greatness.

Encircling the royal portrait is the carefully engraved inscription *“United Kingdom of Atlantis”*, reinforcing the state’s identity any the authority of its sovereign ruler. The lower rim of the coin prominently displays the name *Solomon Wining*, commemorating the monarch whose leadership is linked to noble governance and national advancement.

The phrase *“Gold Coin”* highlights not only the currency’s intrinsic value but also its symbolic significance as a representation of the kingdom’s economic structure and royal treasury. Beyond its aesthetic elegance, the coin serves as a *mark of sovereignty*, a seal of authority, and a reminder of the royal institution governing the United Kingdom of Atlantis.

The Imperial Gold Coin represents:
– *Unity* among citizens,
– *Loyalty* to the crown,
– A vision of a kingdom built upon *justice, prosperity, and noble leadership*.

Every detail—from the engraved crown to the polished golden surface—makes the coin a timeless emblem of imperial prestige and national pride. It stands as both a symbol of wealth and a monument to the legacy of royal leadership, reminding all who behold it of the enduring power and majesty of the United Kingdom of Atlantis.

The United Kingdom of Atlantis is a sovereign nation dedicated to upholding traditions of regal governance, cultural heritage, and economic prosperity, guided by the wisdom of its imperial leadership.

_Notes to Editors_:
The Imperial Gold Coin is intended for commemorative and symbolic purposes, representing the nation’s imperial heritage and royal authority.

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Ajadi Visits Ibadan Chief Imam, Receives Blessings

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1 day ago

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March 12, 2026

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Ajadi Visits Ibadan Chief Imam, Receives Blessings

Ajadi Visits Ibadan Chief Imam, Receives Blessings

 

The leading gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the Grand Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Imam Abdul Ganiy Abubakir Agbotomokekere, at his Oja’ba residence in Ibadan, where discussions centred on leadership, integrity, and the role of prayers in governance.

 

Ajadi, who described the revered Islamic cleric as a spiritual pillar in Oyo State, said his visit was to seek prayers and wise counsel as he continues consultations ahead of the 2027 governorship race.

 

While addressing the Chief Imam, Ajadi commended his consistent prayers for Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria, noting that religious leaders remain critical stakeholders in nation building.

 

“I have come to seek your prayers and spiritual blessings because of your important role in promoting peace, unity and moral guidance in our society,” Ajadi said.

 

“I also want to appreciate your continuous prayers for the progress of Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole. My prayer is that Almighty Allah will continue to grant you sound health and long life to witness many more Ramadan seasons on earth.”

 

Speaking further, the PDP gubernatorial aspirant emphasised the need for leadership driven by compassion, fairness and accountability, stressing that his political aspiration is rooted in service to the people.

 

“My ambition is not just about occupying an office but about serving the people with sincerity and fear of God. We must continue to encourage politics that will bring development and improve the welfare of our people,” he added.

 

While speaking with journalists after the visit, Ajadi also assured the people of Oyo State and Nigerians at large that the internal crisis and political tensions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been brought under control by the grace of God. He expressed optimism that the party would emerge victorious in all elective positions in the 2027 general elections.

 

In his response, Sheikh Agbotomokekere advised the governorship hopeful to remain focused on the principles of good governance, warning against corrupt practices often associated with politics.

 

The respected Islamic scholar noted that while politics is practised differently by individuals, only leaders with integrity and fear of God can truly deliver the dividends of democracy.

 

“Politics is practised by different kinds of people. Some play politics in a corrupt way, while others practise it with sincerity. My prayer is that you will be among those who will practise democracy in the right way if you become governor,” the Chief Imam said.

 

He reminded the aspirant that human ambition can only be fulfilled by divine approval, stressing that ultimate power belongs to God.

 

“Whoever is seeking a position should know that only Allah can make such an ambition come true. Whether a person becomes famous or remains unknown is also by the will of Allah,” he said.

 

Offering prayers for the politician, the cleric added: “Many people may be struggling for a position meant for one person, and it is only God who knows the rightful person. I pray that Almighty Allah will make you the chosen one among all the contenders.”

 

Using a football analogy to further illustrate his point, the cleric advised Ajadi to be wary of political distractions and misleading influences.

 

“On the football field, sometimes spectators believe they understand the game more than the players themselves. I pray that you will not be misled by so-called political gurus and that God will guide your steps aright,” he said.

 

Sheikh Agbotomokekere, the 18th Chief Imam of Ibadanland, is widely respected across South-Western Nigeria for his scholarship, spiritual leadership and advocacy for peaceful coexistence among religious and political groups.

Observers say the visit forms part of Ajadi’s ongoing consultations with key stakeholders, traditional rulers and religious leaders as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the next electoral cycle in Oyo State.

Ajadi Visits Ibadan Chief Imam, Receives Blessings

The cleric offered special prayers for peace in Oyo State, successful leadership, and continued unity among the people despite political and religious differences.

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