BY Bolanle Olabimtan
Akinlolu Kehinde, counsel representing the Nigerian Army, has told the Lagos judicial panel set up to probe police brutality that the army has not received any formal petition over the shooting of #EndSARS protesters at Lekki tollgate.
The panel had invited the army to give evidence about the incident which occurred on October 20.
At the resumed session on Saturday, the army counsel, said although the military is willing to testify, no formal allegation has been made against them.
“I must submit today that there is no allegation whatsoever against the Nigerian army before this panel,” he said.
“I urge your lordship to discountenance any proposal that the testimony of the Nigerian Army should not be allowed because of a proposed petition.”
“Unfortunately for reasons known to most of us, the Nigerian Army could not give their testimony when they were summoned on the last adjourned date. It is a very respectable organisation.
“The Nigerian Army is here again ready to testify, and they have set up their projector and is ready to discharge the summons.
“I repeat, as at six minutes to 11 am today, no petition has been served against the Nigerian Army, if any petition has been served, we will respond.”
Olumide Fusika, counsel representing seven #EndSARS protesters, admitted that he is yet to make a formal claim on behalf of his clients.
He said although complaint of his clients is against the army, the panel’s terms of reference only covered matters relating to the Nigerian police and the disbanded SARS.
He said the panel must be set up by a legal instrument aside from the instructions given by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governor, on Twitter.
“We applied for the copy of the instrument establishing the panel by the governor, but we were refused on the ground that freedom of information Act does not apply to Lagos state,” Fusika said.
“We applied here this morning and the secretary said there is no authority that states that it should be granted to us.”
In a ruling, Doris Okuwobi, chairperson of the nine-member panel, said the shooting at Lekki tollgate is part of the panel’s terms of reference.
“The Lekki incident was not covered by the original instrument of the panel and it was amended on October 21 to include the Lekki incident,” she said.
“The amended instrument is a public document which should not be shrouded in mystery, I have a copy here with me if Mr Olumide-Fusika pleases.”
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