#ENDSARS | Page 2 of 12 | African News Today

Lagos Reacts To Controversy Over EndSARS Panel Report

18Nov

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Youths

Lagos Reacts To Controversy Over EndSARS Panel Report

The Lagos State Government has reacted to the controversy that greeted the leaked report of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and Other Matters. After the report leaked on Monday, many Nigerians have expressed divided views. Some of them doubted the contents of the report, pointed out loopholes and asked the Lagos State Government to reject it. However, others are jubilant, hailing that the report for declaring that a “massacre” happened at Lekki tollgate and protesters were killed. In a statement by Lagos Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, the state government said it has good intention for setting up the panel. The statement read, “The Lagos State Government has noted the various reactions that have follo...

#EndSARS: Amnesty International Urges Buhari Government To Punish Killers Of Lekki Tollgate Protesters

17Nov

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria

#EndSARS: Amnesty International Urges Buhari Government To Punish Killers Of Lekki Tollgate Protesters

The global rights advocacy group, Amnesty International has said perpetrators must face justice after the Lagos State #EndSARS Panel confirmed the shooting of protesters at Lekki toll gate. The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS and Related Abuses, set up to investigate the shooting of #EndSARS protesters at Lekki toll gate in Lagos in October 2020 in its report said Nigerian soldiers and police operatives shot and killed peaceful protesters. Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria in a statement on Tuesday said the group welcomes the "truthful" report confirming that the Nigerian army and police shot peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll gate on 20 October 2020. Read Also: Release #EndSARS Protesters Immediately – Civic Group, ...

Release #EndSARS Protesters Immediately – Civic Group, SERAP Warns Nigerian Police

20Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Human Rights, Justice, News, Nigeria, Security, Youths

Release #EndSARS Protesters Immediately – Civic Group, SERAP Warns Nigerian Police

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Nigerian Police authorities to immediately and unconditionally release a journalist and other protesters arrested at the Lekki Tollgate. The group made the call in a post on its Twitter handle on Wednesday. The tweet reads, “Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release two protesters including a journalist reportedly arrested this morning by the Lagos State Police Command at the Lekki tollgate where the #EndSARSMemorial protest is scheduled to hold. Protest is a right.” BREAKING: Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release two protesters including a journalist reportedly arrested this morning by the Lagos State Police Command at the Lekki tollgate where the #EndSAR...

#EndSARS: No Security Officer Punished For Killing, Others One Year After Brutal Crackdown —Amnesty International

20Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Human Rights, Justice, News, Nigeria, Youths

#EndSARS: No Security Officer Punished For Killing, Others One Year After Brutal Crackdown —Amnesty International

A non-governmental organisation, Amnesty International has alleged that the #EndSARS Judicial Panel of Inquiry dashed hopes of victims rather than providing restitution to them. On October 19, 2020, the Lagos state government set up a nine-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate cases of brutality and human rights violations perpetrated by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The panels, which were also established in other states of the country were mainly set up as a response to one of the demands of youth during the #EndSARS protests. A statement issued by the organisation explained that despite promises of reform, police impunity continues. It stated partly, “One year after peaceful #EndSARS protests ended in a bru...

Lagos Police Make U-turn, Approve #EndSARS Protests, Frown On Road Closures

18Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Security, Youths

Lagos Police Make U-turn, Approve #EndSARS Protests, Frown On Road Closures

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has made a U-turn on its earlier warning against any gathering or organisation of protest in commemoration of the first anniversary of last year's #EndSARS protest in the state. Addressing journalists on Saturday while monitoring the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state congress election in Lagos, Odumosu described protests as a right citizens are entitled to. He added that the state police command would be ready to protect protesters. Meanwhile, an earlier statement by the Lagos Police Command had said, “The police in the state will not fold their arms and allow some misguided elements disrupt the peace and serenity currently being enjoyed in the state. “To forestall breakdown of law and order, the police will use all leg...

Lagos Governor Plans To Distract Youths From #EndSARS Anniversary With ‘Concerts’ – Nigerian Rapper, Falz

16Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Music, News, Nigeria, Youths

Lagos Governor Plans To Distract Youths From #EndSARS Anniversary With ‘Concerts’ – Nigerian Rapper, Falz

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is plotting to organise concerts with celebrities to distract youths from participating in the EndSARS remembrance event. Nigerian rapper, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, made the allegations in a social media post on Friday. Popular Instagram comedian, Debo Adedayo, also known as Mr. Macaroni, had earlier taken a swipe at celebrities for accepting Sanwo-Olu’s invitation to perform at a concert meant to hold days before the Lekki shooting anniversary. Macaroni, who rebuked celebrities for refusing to speak up against the government’s move to quell planned #EndSARS memorial events, charged them to rethink their association with the government. Falz alleged that the Lagos State governor planned to use the concert as a distrac...

Lagos Police Warn Against Planned #EndSARS Memorial Protest, Threaten “Wrath Of The Law”

11Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Youths

Lagos Police Warn Against Planned #EndSARS Memorial Protest, Threaten “Wrath Of The Law”

The Lagos State commissioner of police, Hakeem Odumosu, has warned residents of the state to desist from participating in any form of protest planned in commemoration of the #EndSARS protest. The police boss promised that his officers would resist any of such protests. This is contained in a statement released on Monday by Adekunle Ajisebutu, the Lagos police spokesperson. The statement reads: “Credible intelligence at the disposal of the Command has revealed clandestine plans by some youths, individuals or groups to embark on protest today in commemoration of the first anniversary of EndSARS. “Lagosians and indeed Nigerians cannot afford to relive the distasteful experience of last year protest which caused pain, anguish, needless loss of lives and wanton destruction of public...

Police, Brutal Cops Should Compensate SARS Victims – Rivers

15Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Human Rights, Judiciary, Justice, News, Nigeria, Safety, Security

Police, Brutal Cops Should Compensate SARS Victims – Rivers

The Rivers State Executive Council has submitted that police authority or operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad found guilty of brutality and other forms of human right abuses should compensate their victims. This was part of the agreement reached after the five-man committee commissioned by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, to formulate a draft White Paper on the recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry that investigated brutality and violation of fundamental human rights of citizens by the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad in the state, submitted its report to the Executive Council at the Government House, Port Harcourt. Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN, while briefing newsmen shortly after t...

Lawyer Who Filed Case Against Pastor Adeyemi, Davido, Falz, 47 Others Is Fake – NBA

9Mar

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Breaking News, Judiciary, News, Nigeria, Youths

Lawyer Who Filed Case Against Pastor Adeyemi, Davido, Falz, 47 Others Is Fake – NBA

A lawyer, Kenechukwu Okeke, who filed a criminal complaint before an Abuja Magistrate Court over the actions of 50 persons, including celebrities during the October 2020 EndSARS struggles, has been confirmed to be fake and never called to the bar. The Nigerian Bar Association confirmed on Monday that Okeke was fake and not on the list of directory of lawyers in Nigeria. SaharaReporters learnt that the NBA reported Okeke via an official letter to the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Kubwa. At the hearing of the matter on Monday, the case was called up and there were introductions from the celebrities, others and applicant, Deji Adeyanju’s lead counsel, Samuel Ihensekhien and Kenechukwu Okeke, who appeared as the first defendant, and as a counsel for himself. The NBA Abuja C...

Sports Minister Petitions IG Over Alleged Fake News

18Feb

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Communication, News, Nigeria, Youths

Sports Minister Petitions IG Over Alleged Fake News

Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to investigate Sylvanus Ofekun for alleged criminal defamation and incitement capable of threatening national security. The petition, submitted to the IGP on February 16, alleged that Ofekun, with the moniker “Sleeky Sly” on social media, accused the minister of daily benefitting from Lagos Concession Company (LCC), operator of the Lekki Tollgate, which has been at the centre of the #EndSARS protests. The petition reads: “Our client was surprised when Mr. Sylvanus Ofokun, also known as Sleeky Sly, published unfounded and baseless allegations of corruption against our client through direct reference and innuendo. “Mr. Ofekun is a sports journalist who currently plies his trade wit...