Rowdy Session as Panel Members Disagree over Lekki Tollgate Reopening
The proceedings at the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry degenerated into a shouting match Saturday after panel members and lawyers disagreed loudly over the reopening of the Lekki Toll plaza.
Doris Okuwobi, the panel chairperson, accompanied by other four members of the panel sat on Saturday to rule over an application for the repossession of the Lekki Toll plaza by the Lekki Concession Company.
Background
The company, on four different occasions, made an application before the panel to allow it repossess the toll plaza in order to evaluate damages caused during the #EndSARS protest and make insurance claims.
During one of the applications on January 5, Mrs Okuwobi said the government has paid a forensic expert to examine the scene of the Lekki shooting and LCC needs to await to the report of the forensic examination.
“Forensic evidence is most needed in this inquiry,” Mrs Okuwobi said.
The matter was adjourned till February 6 as the forensic report was to be ready on February 2.
Saturday’s proceedings
Journalists, lawyers, civil society groups, and observers were in attendance on Saturday to hear the report of the forensic examination on the Lekki shooting incident.
The LCC was also on the list to proceed with the application to repossess the toll plaza.
The judge made no comment on the forensic report, while the LCC was allowed to proceed with its application.
Making the application, Rotimi Seriki, the counsel for the LCC said the application to repossess the toll plaza has been pending before the panel and it is necessary to reopen for repairs and insurance claims.
The application generated arguments from other counsels, with Adeshina Ogunlana, counsel to some of the #EndSARS protesters, vehemently opposing the application to reopen the Lekki Tollgate.
Mr Ogunlana said the panel should be in control of the Lekki Tollgate until all matters relating to the Lekki shooting incident of October 20, 2020, are completed at the panel.