As reactions continue to flow over the report of the Lagos State judicial panel of inquiry that investigated the attack on the ENDSARS at the Lekki Tollgate on 20 October 2020, the minority caucus in the House of Representatives has asked the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai to resign or be sacked by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The caucus made the call in a statement signed by the minority leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu on Thursday.
The report of the Panel was leaked to the press on Monday, the day on which it was presented to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Contrary to the position of the government that nobody was shot during the protests, the Panel in its report presented graphic details of how security agents – the Army and the Police, were called to the scene of the peaceful protest and shot at the protesters with live bullets.
The evidence adduced by the Panel, including the number of protesters shot dead and others with gunshot wounds was at variance with the position expounded by the government, with Mohammed as the chief proponent.
Basing its action on the contents of the report, the caucus declared that the Minister lied.
The caucus also noted that many other officials of the government also have many questions to answer over the matter.
Below is the statement:
“The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives, after a thorough review of the report of the Lagos State EndSARS judicial panel, holds that the attempt by officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to cover up the now confirmed bloody massacre of Nigerians youths by security forces at the Lekki Tollgate suggests a high-level state-backed conspiracy against Nigerians.
“The confirmation by the Lagos Panel that there was indeed a massacre at the Lekki Tollgate during the 2020 EndSARS protests in Lagos and that APC government-controlled security forces carted away bodies and mopped up evidence, places a huge burden on i Federal Government which had vehemently denied any killings.
“The Minority caucus is therefore apprehensive as to what furtive motive must have made the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who ought to know the truth, to rush to the media, ahead of the judicial panel, to insist that there were no killings at Lekki Tollgate, even in the face of testimonies of witnesses at the sad event.
“Whereas the proclivity of the APC-led administration to lie to Nigerians on issues is legendry and known to all, our caucus is however shocked that the administration can lie in a matter that has to do with the gruesome killing of citizens, particularly our youths and even attempt to provide official cover to the culprits.
“As representatives of the people, the minority caucus holds that killing of our young one for having the audacity to demand for justice, rule of law, and good governance in our nation is the height of wickedness which will continue to haunt the APC and its administration until justice is served.
“The report of the Lagos panel shows that no matter how lies and falsehood try to prevail, the truth will always triumph at the end. The blood of the innocent slain at Lekki Tollgate cry out for justice and there will be no rest for their killers and those who give support or cover to the murderous act.
“The Minority caucus therefore calls on the APC-led administration to come clean on the killings as well as the furtive moves to cover up the vicious act. Also, given the findings of the Lagos panel, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed is expected to resign immediately or be fired by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Our caucus commends the Lagos panel for its boldness in the pursuit of truth and justice and urges other panels investigating allegations of brutality in other states not to be deterred but ensure that the truth is not suppressed.
“While commiserating with the victims of the Lekki Tollgate attack, particularly the families of those killed, the Minority caucus urges Nigerians to remain calm at this crucial moment, as we will leave no stone unturned in using our legislative instruments to join forces with other well-meaning Nigerians to get justice for our people.”
