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Good morning. It’s Friday, October 30.
The Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses in Lagos State is sitting for the second time today.
The hearing is scheduled to start at 10 am. We’re here and will bring you live updates.
The Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses in Lagos State is sitting for the second time today.
The hearing is scheduled to start at 10 am. We’re here and will bring you live updates.
The judicial panel had its inaugural hearing Tuesday, October 27, 2020.
Here’s a thread detailing how the first hearing of the panel went. https://twitter.com/radionow953fm/status/1321031816644624384?s=21
Here’s a thread detailing how the first hearing of the panel went. https://twitter.com/radionow953fm/status/1321031816644624384?s=21
Since the adjournment on Tuesday, there have been a number of developments in relation to the Lekki Toll Gate incident, which is included in the scope of the panel.
Let’s get up to speed
Let’s get up to speed
On Tuesday, October 27, a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, 81 Division Army Public Relations, Major Osoba Olaniyi admitted that soldiers were present on the night of the incident.
“However, the decision to call in the Military was taken by the Lagos State Government after a 24-hour curfew was imposed”, a part of the statement read.
The statement claims that the intervention of the soldiers was on the request of the Lagos State Government.
The statement claims that the intervention of the soldiers was on the request of the Lagos State Government.
The army insists that no protesters were shot at by soldiers.
“... the Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities did not shoot at any civilian...” the statement said.
“... the Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities did not shoot at any civilian...” the statement said.
Recall the army had, prior to this statement denied army presence at Lekki toll gate on October 20.
Here’s a thread of @HQNigerianArmy calling reports of their presence at the scene “fake news.” https://twitter.com/HQNigerianArmy/status/1318703160110829568?s=19
Here’s a thread of @HQNigerianArmy calling reports of their presence at the scene “fake news.”
https://twitter.com/HQNigerianArmy/status/1318703160110829568?s=19
And on Wednesday, October 28, human rights group @AmnestyNigeria published “A Timeline of the Lekki Tollgate Killings”
Here’s a link to the timeline https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/nigeria-the-lekki-toll-gate-massacre-new-investigative-timeline/
Here’s a link to the timeline
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/nigeria-the-lekki-toll-gate-massacre-new-investigative-timeline/
In response to the timeline, Sani Usman, a spokesperson of the Nigerian army before retiring in 2019, claimed the Nigerian army did shoot at protesters but they shot blanks.
In an interview on Arise TV, Sani said “If you look at the canisters, they were blank ammo and blank ammo don’t even kill.”
This contradicts the official army stance which still insists soldiers did not shoot.
This contradicts the official army stance which still insists soldiers did not shoot.
Now let’s get back to today’s hearing.
Outside the Lagos Court of Arbitration where the hearing is taking place, is a tent. Sat outside are petitioners here to submit their petitions.
Outside the Lagos Court of Arbitration where the hearing is taking place, is a tent. Sat outside are petitioners here to submit their petitions.
It’s 9:57 am. 3 minutes before the hearing is scheduled to begin.
Here’s a picture of the hall.
Here’s a picture of the hall.
10:35 am: The hearing scheduled to begin at 10 am is yet to start.
Panelists are yet to be seated.
Recall at the first hearing on Tuesday, the hearing started at about 12:19 pm, over two hours behind schedule.
Panelists are yet to be seated.
Recall at the first hearing on Tuesday, the hearing started at about 12:19 pm, over two hours behind schedule.
10:52 am: Panelists are getting seated.
The second public hearing is about to begin 52 minutes behind schedule.
The second public hearing is about to begin 52 minutes behind schedule.
Abayomi Omomuwasan, Managing Director of the Lekki Concession Company is on the stand in response to a summons by the panel to testify.
A footage of the night of the incident, Tuesday, October 20, as well as a report of the investigation were requested by the panel.
A footage of the night of the incident, Tuesday, October 20, as well as a report of the investigation were requested by the panel.
Representatives of the LCC have confirmed that they have footage of the night of the Lekki tollgate incident.
They have no report of the investigation because no investigation by the LCC has been carried out.
They have no report of the investigation because no investigation by the LCC has been carried out.
When asked by panel chair, Justice Doris Okuwobi rtd. to present the footage as evidence, LCC representatives asked for an opportunity to get an external counsel as they received the summons to appear late.
The panel has risen and is headed to the Lekki tollgate to examine the site of Tuesday, October 20 incident.
They are to be accompanied by the LCC MD.
They are to be accompanied by the LCC MD.
Outside of the Lagos Court of Arbitration is Adesina Ogunlana and other members of the New Nigeria Network, a coalition of the opinion that “Governor Sanwo-Olu lacks competence to set up any panel on Lekki shooting”, the group says.
It is unclear whether forensic teams have visited the site of the incident prior to today.
So it is hard to say what the team will find on this site visit seeing as the Lekki tollgate was cleaned up and cars have been moving freely.
So it is hard to say what the team will find on this site visit seeing as the Lekki tollgate was cleaned up and cars have been moving freely.
The judicial panel is being led by MD, LCC and panel chair Justice Doris through the Lekki tollgate, scene of theOctober 20 shooting.
The MD, pointing to the camera on a mast says footage of the night will be examined. He however warned that due to “damages” and “bad network” he is unsure at what point the camera stopped recording.
cc @KadariaAhmed
cc @KadariaAhmed
While inspecting the scene, panelists found at least four bullet shells. One at the foot of a staircase leading to the top of the tollgate. Others were found on the floor and in a gutter.
Here’s @SavvyRinu, a youth representative on the panel, holding a bullet shell.
Here’s @SavvyRinu, a youth representative on the panel, holding a bullet shell.
@HQNigerianArmy admits to presence of army soldiers at Lekki tollgate on October 20.
They insist soldiers did not shoot.
The judicial panel has found bullet shells at the tollgate.
So, who shot and killed peaceful protesters at Lekki tollgate on October 20?
They insist soldiers did not shoot.
The judicial panel has found bullet shells at the tollgate.
So, who shot and killed peaceful protesters at Lekki tollgate on October 20?
Panelists are back at the Lagos Court of Arbitration to continue today’s hearing.
LCC representative as well as the Managing Director, are back on the stand.
LCC representative as well as the Managing Director, are back on the stand.
The Lekki Concession Company, LCC, has asked that their testimony be delayed till Tuesday to enable them get legal counsel.
Panel chair Justice Doris Okuwobi (Rtd.) has adjourned their case until Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at 11 am.
Panel chair Justice Doris Okuwobi (Rtd.) has adjourned their case until Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at 11 am.
Panel has risen with the chair saying the panel has an “unscheduled visit” to make.
She however did not disclose the location of this visit or any other details.
She however did not disclose the location of this visit or any other details.
While we follow the panel on said “unscheduled visit”, it is important to note the lack of forensics at the visit to the toll gate earlier.
Pictured here is a panelist holding bullet shells on a piece of paper.
This approach taints evidence.
Pictured here is a panelist holding bullet shells on a piece of paper.
This approach taints evidence.
Members of Lagos state’s Judicial Panel of Inquiry have just been driven in a bus to the gate of the Military Hospital Lagos.
This appears to be the location of the “unscheduled visit” the panel chair spoke about.
This appears to be the location of the “unscheduled visit” the panel chair spoke about.
The reception from army officials has been hostile as panelists as well as members of the press were threatened and then thrown out of the compound of the Military Hospital, Lagos.
Panelists and press have just been granted access back into the military hospital after one of the panelists was allowed to speak with a uniformed official named AI Taiwo.
Earlier, upon entry into the Military Hospital, panelist, Ebun Adegboruwa SAN had explained this unscheduled visit was based on last minute confidential information leading them toinvestigate the mortuary of this facility in relation to the Lekki tollgate shooting of October 20.
Panel members are being led to the morgue at the Military Hospital Lagos by army officials Taiwo and Ogoh.
This is the morgue shown to the panel. Officials on ground have informed members of the panel that the facility is under renovation.
When asked if there was another morgue, AI Taiwo says “in this facility, no.”
When asked if there was another morgue, AI Taiwo says “in this facility, no.”
