A member of the Lagos Judicial Panel on Police Brutality and Lekki Toll Gate incident, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN has threatened to pull out of the panel over fresh arrest and harassment of protesters.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) stated this in a statement on Saturday, saying he was still conferring with the civil society before deciding whether or not to quit the panel.
Recall that popular comedian, Debo Adebayo, and 39 other protesters were brutalised and arrested by police on Saturday while protesting the reopening of the Lekki Toll Complex.
They were subsequently arraigned before a mobile court at Panti, Yaba but were however granted bail by the court, the state police command said in a statement.
Reacting to the arrest, Adegboruwa described it as “unacceptable”.
“My heart is very heavy. I’m saddened and devastated. My soul is sorely troubled at this time.
“For decades before the advent of this administration, Nigerians have risked their lives, liberties, their times and their energies, their resources, to win back this country on the side of democracy and good government, from military dictatorship. Some have paid the supreme price with their lives.
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“I have been monitoring events at the Lekki Toll Gate since morning, and I am totally overwhelmed with the images, videos and sundry evidence of police brutality of armless civilians, who ventured to protest at the Toll Gate. In one particular video, I saw citizens of Nigeria being dehumanized, stripped half-naked and cramped together in a rickety bus. This is totally unacceptable.
“While we are yet to come to terms with the events of October 20, 2020, it becomes worrisome that the security agencies have not learnt any positive lesson from those occurrences. I commend the protesters for their peaceful conduct.
“I cannot in good conscience continue to sit at any Panel of Inquiry to heal wounds and end police brutality, when fresh assaults are being perpetrated with impunity. Consequently, I am presently consulting with my constituency within the civil society, as to my continued participation in the EndSARS Judicial Panel.
“I hereby demand the immediate release of all those arrested in connection with the peaceful protest at the Lekki Toll Gate today. On no account should anything happen to any of them while in the custody of the police.
“I appeal for calm on all sides, in order not to escalate the worsening security situation across the land. I cannot fail to point out the fact that the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is a product of protest and civil disobedience. Let history vindicate the just.
“Aluta Continua, Victoria Ascerta!” Adegboruwa stated.