The Federal Government of Nigeria has thrown its weight behind the Lagos State government’s White Paper on the report of the judicial panel set up to probe cases of police brutality and the October 20, 2020 shooting at the Lekki tollgate. The apex government promised to take further actions.
POLITICS NIGERIA recalls that the Lagos State government, on Tuesday, rejected key recommendations of the panel’s report especially the one that bordered on shootings at Lekki Tollgate by the army and police. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also disagreed with the submission of the panel that a massacre occurred.
Reacting, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), who spoke on Channels Television on Wednesday in respect of the White Paper, said: “It all depends on the perspective you look at it and the prevailing laws that are in contexts. When you talk about laws that are exclusively applicable to the federation and context of the actual situation, it is not out of place to arrive at a conclusion. What you make out of it is a function of the applicable laws. What I am saying is not a general statement but about the factual situation of applicability and enforceability.”
He added: “It is true that the EndSARS generated a lot of interest. What we must take into consideration here is that along the line, there were issues of hate speeches by the youths and other actors even the imposition of dramatic scenes. There was a need for a comprehensive investigation and this was why states set up panels which have finally resulted in the reports we have now. One key important thing for consideration is that many possibilities cannot be ruled out inclusive of fake news, hate speeches, impositions and drama scenes.”
