#EndSARS Report: Falana calls for sanctions

Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure that sanctions are meted out those responsible for the death of #EndSARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020.

The fiery lawyer also urged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to ensure that justice is served over the prosecution of military personnel responsible for the shooting to harmless youths who were only protesting against police brutality in the country.

Falana made the call on Thursday in an interview on Channels TV’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ programme monitored by News Round The Clock.

Falana was reacting to the submission of the report on the #EndSARS protests by the Lagos Judicial Panel to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The events of the #EndSARS protests had snowballed into violence and massacre of the innocent protesters when the Nigerian Army dispatched some of its officers to the Lekki Toll Gate which resulted in the deaths of many innocent protesters after several gunshots were fired.

However, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, and the military authorities had repeatedly denied these deaths further enraging the citizenry.

Also Read: https://newsroundtheclock.com/black-lives-matter-is-here-to-stay/

In his statement during the interview, Falana warned the Government to expedite action over the prosecution of the culprits while noting that the International Criminal Court will take over the case if it is left unresolved.

“It is not the Army’s business to go to Lekki, Ambulances turned up and you turned them away; that was premeditated.

“These officials must be sanctioned because the ICC is watching. Under its statutes, the ICC will intervene if the FG refuses to prosecute the culprits. If recommendations are being made towards the prosecution and they are not, that is not the end of the matter.

“The panel said the culprits have to be brought to book; the panel said Nigerians must be allowed to express themselves.

“No President can behave in an isolated form with the mentality of ‘it is an internal affair.’”

“The FG is expected to work with the state government to bring to book those involved in the killings of protesters, victims of police brutality. The report also recommended that October 20 must be a memorial day and to apologise to the youth for events of the day.

“The Lagos State panel must be commended over its conduct and compensation for victims. What all judicial panels must ensure is the establishment of a permanent human rights committee for these issues and it was agreed by the governors in 2020.

“The human rights committee in Abuja finds it difficult to cover the entire country; the creation in every state will ensure the elimination of abuses of civilians by security authorities.

“This means the FG must brainstorm on the type of military and police we want; the Nigerian leaders who took over after independence never decolonised the psyche of the military,” Falana said.