Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer, on Tuesday, November 16, praised the Lagos State Government over the #EndSARS panel report.
1st News had reported that the Lagos government on October 19, 2020, as part of recommendations put forward during the #EndSARS protests, inaugurated the judicial panel to investigate petitions on police brutality in the state and Lekki toll gate Massacre.
The panel submitted its report to the state government on Monday stating that nine #EndSARS protesters were killed, while another four are still missing.
In his comment, Falana noted that this report exposed “the official lie that the report of the brutal killing was a figment of the imagination of the protesters”.
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He demanded that the state government hasten the implementation of the report; and see to it that security agents found culpable are brought to book.
Falana also asked the government to set up a Lagos state human rights committee; in line with the recommendation of the panel since police brutality has failed to cease.
The lawyer said, “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 policemen who were killed by criminal elements during the END SARS protests should be honoured; notwithstanding that their family members have been compensated by the Lagos State Government.”
He commended the witnesses and their lawyers for exposing the official cover-up of human rights abuse; perpetrated by the merchants of death.
Meanwhile, former National Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has decried the high rate of social challenges in Northern Nigeria.
Jega said this during the Maitama Sule Leadership Lecture Series organised by the Coalition of Northern Nigeria (CNG) on Monday, November 15, in Katsina; even as he challenged Northern leaders to imbibe selfless leadership.
He noted that the fundamental causes of the crises originate from poor leadership and selfishness; with narrow vision and ideas to develop Nigeria.
Jega said, “Whether it is poverty, unemployment, insecurity, infant mortality, out-of-school children, poor girl-child education, or even early marriage challenges.
“Everything you can think of, the terrible statistics always come from the northern part of this country”, he said.
