The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS related abuses and other matters has approved the returned control of the Lekki Toll Gate plaza to its owners, the Lekki Concession Company (LCC).
The panel suspended operations of the toll plaza after the gunshot incident on October 20, 2020. Military men stormed the plaza on Tuesday, October 20, and fired gunshots while EndSARS protesters gathered at the toll plaza for their protest.
LCC had in December 2020, appealed to the panel to allow it to take over the plaza for repair and insurance claims. This was declined by the panel since investigations into the unfortunate incident that led to the closure was still being investigated.
At the resumed hearing of the panel on February 6, the chairman, Justice Doris Okwuobi, granted the request of LCC and handed the toll plaza to them. Nigerians have been reacting to the decision by the panel on social media.
In his reaction, Peter Okoye wrote on his twitter page, “If una like make una go hand over lekki tollgate to Jesus! No justice NO LCC”
“Make dem no think am! We will never forget what happen at that Tollgate on the 20th of October 2020”.
Other reactions are captured below
Nonye wrote “So them wan open shop just like that”.
Rinu wrote, Let it be known that today, I and @TemiOanu, dissented to the reopening of the Lekki Toll Gate on the Lagos Panel. This, as a result of LCC inability to provide access to their CCTV servers for the forensic expert employed by the panel to authenticate the footage they submitted.
Also, we are of the view that the investigations into the Lekki Toll Gate incidence have barely begun, and so the Lekki Toll Gate should remain shut until full investigations are concluded by the Panel.
The ruling that Lekki Toll Gate should be reopened cannot hold, as a quorum wasn’t formed today with the youth representatives absent. It is also pertinent to note that 5 of 9 can’t form a proper quorum.
It should also be noted that the ruling did not include our dissenting opinions as members of the panel. This stand is also taken by Ebun Adegboruwa SAN and Ms. Patience Udoh, members of the Civil society group. Five other members of the panel held the view that the Toll Gate should be allowed to reopen. LCC has questions to answer. We remain committed to getting justice.