Sanwo-Olu: #EndSARS panel report will be made public

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, says the report of the state’s judicial panel on police brutality will be made public.

On October 19, 2020, as part of recommendations put forward during the #EndSARS protests, the Lagos state government inaugurated the judicial panel to investigate petitions on police brutality in the state.

The panel was initially to sit for six months, but the period for proceedings lasted for one year after two tenure extensions.

On Monday, the panel concluded sittings, while announcing that its report will be submitted to the state government.

According to an infographic released by the panel, the panel awarded N409.7 million to 70 petitioners.

However, the decision of the panel not to disclose its report on the Lekki shooting incident did not go down well with many Nigerians, including lawyers representing #EndSARS protesters.

Speaking on the development on Thursday, the Lagos governor said the panel has not submitted the report, adding that as soon as the state receives it, “full disclosure” will be made to the public.

“The panel concluded its sittings about three days ago and has asked for time to put the reports together behind closed doors,” the governor said, according to a statement by Gboyega Akosile, his press secretary.

“We do not know the content of the report, but we want to say publicly that upon the handover of the report, we will be making it public.

“We will not cover up anything. This is not who we are and that is not what our government stands for. We will make full disclosure of whatever recommendations that the panel will come up with. I assure citizens of Lagos that we will not leave anything to chance.”

On those arrested at the #EndSARSMemorial rally in Lekki, Sanwo-Olu said he had ordered an unconditional release of those detained, except one person caught with “dangerous weapons”.

“Yesterday, we saw a protest in Lagos and everybody that was arrested in connection with the protest have all been released, except an individual that was caught with dangerous weapons and who confessed to the police that he joined the protest to cause mayhem,” he said.

The governor also called on youths to join in the rebuilding efforts of the state government, adding that his administration remains committed to ensuring that the state overcomes the challenges faced, following the violence that trailed the 2020 protests.

“It is exactly a year ago today when Lagos was hit by violence in the aftermath of the EndSARS protests. Lagos witnessed massive destruction of infrastructure, iconic buildings, transport infrastructure, police stations and others,” he said.

“Today being a year after the event, there is no better time to say how difficult it has been for us as a state and how committed it has been for us. As tough as it is, the government will certainly not shy away from its responsibility. We see the incident as a challenge and we will fix it with everything that we have.”