Falana Demands Sanction Of Soldiers, Policemen Involved In Lekki Shooting

Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has demanded the sanction of soldiers and police officers involved in the Lekki shooting on October 20, 2020.

Naija News reports that the Justice Doris Okuwobi-led Judicial panel on Police brutality had on Monday submitted its report to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The report of the panel disclosed that not less than eleven people were killed at the Lekki tollgate incident, adding that at least 48 protesters were either shot dead, injured with bullet wounds, or assaulted by soldiers.

In a statement on Tuesday, Falana welcomed the submission of the report to the Lagos governor and commended the members of the panel for a job well done.

He, however, stated that the report of the panel be forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari in order to sanction soldiers and police officers, who engaged in the torture and killing of unarmed protesters.

He said, “In particular, the revelation that some of the 99 dead bodies dumped in the various mortuaries in Lagos by soldiers were traced to the Lekki tollgate has exposed the official lie that the report of the brutal killings was a figment of the imagination of the protesters.

“A certified copy of the report of the panel should be forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari in view of the recommendation that the soldiers and police personnel, who engaged in the torture and reckless murder of citizens, be sanctioned.

“The state government should accelerate the issuance of the White Paper as well as the implementation of the far-reaching recommendations.

“The policemen, who were killed by criminal elements during the protests, should be honoured notwithstanding that their family members had been compensated by the Lagos State Government.

“The violent attack on unarmed protesters during peaceful rallies by police and military personnel should be completely outlawed since Section 83 (4) of the Police Establishment Act, 2020 has imposed a duty on the police to provide adequate security for citizens, who participate in peaceful meetings and rallies.”