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THE Lagos State government, yesterday, released a White Paper on the report of the panel on Police Brutality and Lekki Tollgate killings, rejecting key recommendations of the report.
Of the 32 recommendations made by the panel, the government accepted only 11.
One of the key recommendations it rejected include the Lekki shootings which resulted in death and injuries.
On Lekkit Tollgate shootings, the White Paper stated: “The findings are clearly and manifestly not supported by the evidence before the JPI as attested to by the JPI itself, when it said there was contrary evidence to that of Prof. John Obafunwa that only one person died of gunshot wounds at LTG on October 21, 2020.
“Government is, therefore, unable to accept the finding that nine people died of gunshot wounds at LTG on October 20, 2020.
“It also follows that the irresistible conclusion to be drawn from the JPI’s acceptance of Prof Obafuawa’s testimony that only one person died of gunshot wounds at LTG on October 21, 2020, is that there was no massacre at LTG, contextual or otherwise.
“The findings of the JPI that nine people died at LTG on October 20, 2020, from gunshots fired by the military are based on assumptions and permutations.
“The inconsistencies and contradictions in the entire JPI Report concerning the number of persons who died at LTG on October 20, 2020, and the cause of their death rendered the JPI’s findings unacceptable and conclusively, their recommendation is totally unreliable and therefore unacceptable.”
On sanctions for security agents involved in the Lekki tollgate shootings, the White Paper stated: “The Nigerian Army is an organization that has its disciplinary procedures and processes as set down by law, over which Lagos State has no control. Nevertheless, Lagos State government will forward this recommendation to appropriate authorities for their consideration and action.”
On the release of those arrested during the EndSARS protest, as recommended by the panel, the White Paper stated: “The issue of grant of bail is a matter within the exclusive preserve of the judiciary, Lagos State government, however, notes the recommendation.”
The White Paper rejected the immortalization of those who died on October 20, 2020, as recommended by the panel, sayingthe state government does not have the powers to declare any day a National Day. It also contended that only the Federal Government had the power to do so.
The White Paper, however, accepted the recommendation that on October 20 of every year, the Lekki tollgate should be toll-free to motorists.
On the issue of setting up a special trust fund to compensate EndSARS victims, the White Paper accepted the recommendation, saying it will be forwarded to the Federal Government and the National Executive Council, NEC.
On the panel’s recommendations that the Lekki Tollgate plaza be made a memorial site for END SARS by renaming it ENDSARS tollgate, the White Paper said it would rather designate a park in the state and name it Peace Park to serve as a reminder to citizens of the state of the peaceful protest all over the state against abuse of human rights.”
