Human Rights lawyer, Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa (SAN), today, Saturday, 13th April threatened to quit the judicial panel set up by the state government to investigates police brutality.
He called for the unconditional release of all protesters arrested at the #lekkitollgate today.
Adegboruwa said he is “saddened and devastated” by the way the peaceful protesters were dehumanised during today’s event.
He added that he could not continue to sit in a panel of inquiry probing the same rights abuses while watching the same incident repeat itself.
According to him, “The arrest, detention and dehumanisation of protesters at the #lekkitollgate are unacceptable.
“I have been monitoring events at the #lekkitollgate since morning and I am totally overwhelmed with the images, videos and sundry evidence of police brutality of armless civilians who ventured to protests at the #tollgate.
“In one particular video, I saw citizens of Nigeria being dehumanised, stripped half naked and together in a rickety bus. This is totally unacceptable.
“While we are yet to come to terms with the events of October 20, 2020, it becomes worrisome that the security agencies have not learnt any positive lesson from those consequences. I commend the protesters for their peaceful conduct.
“I cannot in good conscience continue to sit at any panel of inquiry to heal wounds ad end police brutality, when fresh assaults are being perpetrated with impunity.
“Consequently, I am presently consulting with my constituency within the civil society, as to my continued participation in the #EndsSARS Judicial panel.
“I hereby demand the immediate release of all those arrested in connection with the peaceful protest at the #lekkitollgate today.
“On no account should anything happen to anyone of them while in the custody of the police.
“I appeal for calm on all sides in order not to escalate the worsening security situation across the land.
“I cannot fail to point out the fact that the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is a product of protest and civil disobedience.
“Let history vindicate te just. Aluta Continua. Victoria Ascerta !”
One of the members of the panel, 23-year-old Rinu Oduala, one of the youths representatives, quit the panel 2 days ago siting injustice, cover-ups and threats to her life.
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#EndSARS panel