By Uzor Odigbo
A member of the Lagos Judicial Panel on Inquiry on the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) abuses, Ebun Adegboruwa has faulted the visit of South West Governors and Ministers to Lekki Toll Gate especially against the backdrop of insinuations that vital evidence needed for the investigation may have been tampered with.
Adegboruwa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) described their action and tour as illegal, without authority of the panel.
He urged the Lagos State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu to allow the panel a free hand to operate without interference.
In a public statement titled “Usurpation of Powers of the Panel of Inquiry on SARS Abuses” Adegboruwa wrote:
“On Sunday, October 25, 2020, it was widely publicized that Ministers and Governors of the South-West visited the Governor of Lagos State on a sympathy tour of structures affected by the wanton looting and destruction that took place last week.
In the course of their visit, they were led to the Lekki Toll Plaza, to assess the situation thereat. It was at the same Lekki Toll Plaza that the incident of alleged shooting of EndSARS protesters was said to have taken place. And based on public outcry, the Governor of Lagos State added the Lekki Toll Plaza incident to the terms of reference of the Judicial Panel that was set up.
“Since the Panel has been vested with jurisdiction over the Lekki Toll Plaza, I verily believe that it is illegal for anyone else to conduct any visit to the said Lekki Toll Plaza in the absence of and without the authority and consent of the Panel. It was reported that in the course of the visit, the former governor of Lagos State and the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, discovered a hidden camera, which he took. This is a clear case of illegally tampering with exhibits that may become useful to the Panel in the course of its assignment.
I appeal to the Governor of Lagos State to allow the Panel the full autonomy and independence that was promised at the time of inauguration. It is contempt of the Panel for anyone to usurp the powers of the Panel in the way that has been reported. In this regard, the Panel will not shy away from summoning anyone who is alleged to be involved in any contemptuous act that may obstruct the course of justice.
I call on all Nigerians to come up with their complaints before the Panel for proper ventilation, as it begins its sitting today.