#EndSARS: FG Reaches Out To British Government Over Parliamentarians’ Threat Of Sanction

The Federal Government has reacted out to the British Government to present its side of the story, following the resolution of the United Kingdom Parliament to impose sanctions on some Nigerian officials over their role in the #EndSARS protests.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, disclosed this on Wednesday while fielding questions from State House correspondents at the end of the weekly virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, the Nigerian government has briefied the UK government and present it with a balanced perspective of what transpired during the protest, noting that the UK parliament has no power to impose sanctions or speak for its government.

“On the issue of UK parliament, yes, we have reached out to the UK government. The UK government has been briefed. There was a UK parliamentarian meeting. Parliamentarians don’t speak for the UK government, which acts for the United Kingdom. It has also heard the side of the (Nigerian) government regarding everything that has happened.

“So, we have been in touch with them and engaging with them. And of course, as in any democracy, the members of parliament are able to also air their views. But what is important is that a balanced picture is made available to them before they take any decision,” Onyeama said.

KanyiDaily recalls that during the debate on a petition on #EndSARS protest, a UK parliamentarian, Tom Tugendhat, alleged that a former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, looted half of the funds in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and moved to London when he was exiting power.