Lagos appeals verdict ordering compensation of driver assaulted at #EndSARS memorial

The Lagos government has filed an appeal against the judgement ordering the state and Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to pay N5 million as compensation to Adedotun Clement.

The state government filed the notice of appeal on Tuesday but was served on Friday.

In October 2021, Clement, a driver for a cab-hailing service, was manhandled by the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA) and police officers during the #EndSARSMemorial rally at Lekki tollgate.

The rally was organised to mark the anniversary of the #EndSARS movement.

On March 14, a federal high court in Lagos ordered the state government and NPF to pay N5 million as compensation to Clement.

Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, the presiding judge, ruled that the treatment of Clement amounted to a violation of his right to dignity.

‘NO EVIDENCE OF TORTURE’

Responding to the appeal filed by the state government, Inibehe Effiong, the applicant’s counsel, said the state argued that there was no evidence that the driver was tortured.

“I’m not surprised by their decision not to obey a judgment that everyone knows is justifiable,” Effiong said.

“Since they’ve chosen this infamous path, I will equally file a cross-appeal against the N5 million damages and ask the court of appeal to increase it significantly.

“The message derivable from this action is that Lagosians are back to the regime of real Governor Sanwo-Olu that they know, and not the pretentious one who tried to project himself as a populist or respecter of human rights during the campaigns.”