By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The last may not have been heard of yesterday’s sympathy cum solidarity visit by politicians of Southwest extraction, both at the state and federal levels, to the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
During the visit on Sunday, chairman of the Southwest Governors Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu, alleged that the huge destruction of private and public properties in Lagos was an attempt by unnamed persons to sabotage the economy of the region.
Sanwo-Olu who personally received the visitors not only showed them pictorial evidence of the destruction but took them to some of the vandalised properties including the Lekki tollgate plaza where the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, a former governor of the state, allegedly discovered and removed a hidden security camera.
But that act is generating a new controversy.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and member of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry into the activities of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Mr Ebun Adegboruwa, on Monday not only faulted the visit of the South-West governors to Lekki Toll Plaza, saying it was a usurpation of the powers of the Panel but pointedly accused Fashola, who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, of tampering with the evidence.
In a statement on Monday morning, Adegboruwa said since the Panel has been vested with the powers to investigate alleged shooting at the Toll Gate, it was illegal for anyone else to visit the place without approval from the Panel.
According to him, reports that Fashola, Minister of Works and Housing, discovered a hidden camera which he took amounts to tampering with exhibits which may be useful to the Panel.
He said: “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 threat. 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.”
