White Paper: Femi Falana Faults Lagos’ position on #EndSARS Panel Report, Says It Is Illegal
Femi Falana, human rights lawyer and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, has faulted the white paper on the report submitted by the Lagos State Judicial Panel on Restitution For Victims Of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Related Abuses And Other Matters, saying it is illegal.
Citing section 15 (2) of the Tribunals of Inquiry Law of Lagos State, Falana said the report of the judicial panel is as effective as a judgment of the Lagos state high court, thus its findings can only be challenged in a competent court.
“It was my view that since the committee is unknown to law, the members were not competent to edit, modify, alter, edit or reject the report of the commission,” he said.
“More so, the members of White Paper committee did not have the opportunity of taking evidence from the witnesses who had testified before the commission.
“I argued further that the governor cannot reject the report, summary of evidence and findings of the Okuwobi Judicial Commission in any material particular.
“I am not unaware that it is the practice of governments to issue a white paper on the report of a commission of inquiry. But since there is no provision for a White Paper under the law the Lagos state government is bound by the findings and recommendations of the Panel.
“Therefore, any institution and individual indicted by the commission may wish to approach the High Court to challenge any aspect of the report. Since the White Paper committee is illegal its findings are of no moment.”
Falana also criticised the report of the white paper committee, stating that there were many contradictions.
He said in previous interviews on Arise TV and CNN, the governor had admitted to visiting victims at the hospital as well as admitting that two persons were killed.
“By insisting that only one person was killed at the Lekki Toll Gate, the writers of the White Paper contradicted an earlier statement by governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu that two people were killed following a violent attack on peaceful protesters by Nigerian soldiers,” he said.
READ ALSO: Falana to Abba Kyari: FBI’ll get you whether you like it or not
Falana also faulted Moyo Onigbanjo, Lagos State Attorney-General, for stating that the panel did not disclose the identities of the soldiers who shot at protesters.
“For goodness’ sake, were the protesters expected to ask for the names of the soldiers during the murderous attack?” Falana asked.
Meanwhile, The Nigerian Xpress reported that Falana SAN, has declared that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) would end up getting embattled Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abba Kyari, to face justice whether he (Kyari) likes it or not.
