TheCable

Yomi Omomuwasan, managing director of the Lekki Concession Company (LCC), says the tollgate was never shut down by the judicial panel set up by the Lagos state government to probe police brutality.

On February 6, the panel had granted approval to the LCC to resume operations at the tollgate, after the October 20, 2020 shooting involving #EndSARS protesters.

The decision of the panel generated criticism on social media, leading to a protest tagged #OccupyLekki, which took place on Saturday at the tollgate.

Reacting to the development at a media briefing on Monday, Omomuwasan said the plaza was never shut down, but ordered that operations be suspended at the tollgate, until the completion of the forensic audit instituted by the panel.

The LCC MD said the tollgate was never designated as a “crime scene” by the panel, which would have warranted a ban on vehicular movement at the section of the road.

“We wish to state here today that the ruling of the panel was clear and explicit. The Admiralty Circle Toll Plaza was never shut down. Rather, LCC was only asked to leave the plaza untouched until the completion of the forensic audit instituted by the honourable panel,” he said.

“It is important to recall also that at no time was the toll plaza ever designated ‘a crime scene’ by the panel, as this would have warranted the total stoppage of vehicular movement at that section of the road.

“On the contrary, vehicular movement has continued unhindered on the road since Wednesday, 21st October, 2021.

“The ruling merely permits LCC to access the toll plaza in order to evaluate and assess the damage done to the facility and the renovation to be carried out.”

He appealed to residents of the state to allow peace to reign, adding that the prayers of the LCC management are with those who suffered losses before and after the October 20 incident.

“Nowhere in the world is a company shut down indefinitely over an enquiry into an incident,” Omomuwasan said.

“We must bear in mind the fact that as a business, we also have hundreds of workers, who have thousands of dependents, to take care of and monthly financial obligations to honour.

“Besides, evaluation and restoration require time and further delay can only worsen the situation of the company as a growing concern.”