Lagos State government has released the White Paper on the #EndSARS Panel of Inquiry report, two weeks after receiving the report from the panel, as promised.
The White Paper which focused on the JPI’s report on the Lekki Toll Gate incident of October 20, 2020, countered the initial leaked version that had indicted the Nigerian Army and the Lagos state government in the killing of unarmed protesters at the incident and a subsequent cover-up.
The state government revealed that 11 out of the 32 recommendations made by the panel have been accepted, six others were accepted but with modifications, one rejected, while 14 were left to the powers of the Federal Government, as it fell out of its jurisdiction.
Earlier in a press briefing, Governor of the State, Sanwo-Olu Babajide regretted the leak, which he said generated much tension but was however not based on truth.
“While I commend the panel for undertaking its task to the best of its abilities, it is however regrettable that the panel’s work and the leakage of an unauthorized version of the report have generated much tension. Sadly, a deep wound has been reopened,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, however, promised to take up measures that will foster good relations between the youth and the government in the state.
He further called on entertainers Seun Kuti, Folarin Falana popularly known as Falz, Debo Adedayo, popularly known as Mr. Macaroni among others to join in a “Walk of Peace” to be led by him this month.
Reacting to the call, and initiation of a “Peace Walk” by the governor, the entertainers declined the invitation, stating it cannot stand as a substitute for justice.
Rights Activist and Afrobeat Musician, Seun Kuti, while on a televised interview, said “it is the thing that destroyed the peace that we should look to sort. And to sort it right now, only justice can do that.”
“Let justice walk for peace” he added.
Mr. Macaroni, on the same televised interview, and musician, Falz on his Twitter handle, urged the state government to rather implement the recommendations of the #EndSARS panel as a first step towards the call for peace.
