Tobias Sylvester
The House of Reps Minority Caucus has called for the immediate resignation of the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, for lying about the killing of unarmed #EndSARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State.
The caucus made the call following the report by the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the shooting incident that occurred last year during the #EndSARS protest at the Lekki Toll Gate.
KanyiDaily had reported how soldiers opened fire on #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate, on Tuesday night, October 21, 2020, killing an unconfirmed number of persons and injuring so many others.
Despite extensive and credible media coverage of the incident, Lai Mohammed had continually denied the killings which he claimed were false and misleading. He also described the shooting at the tollgate as a “phantom massacre”.
However, according to the 309-page report submitted by the Lagos Judicial Panel on Monday, November 15, 2021, nine protesters were confirmed dead while four others were presumed dead.
The report listed 48 names as those who were casualties of the Lekki shooting incident. Among which, 24 sustained gunshot injuries, while 15 others were assaulted by soldiers and police.
The panel which was headed by Justice Doris Okuwobi, also noted that 96 other corpses were presented by a Forensic Pathologist of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Professor John Obafunwa.
‘Lai Mohammed Is Expected To Resign Immediately’
In a statement on Thursday, the Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu accused officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government of trying to cover up the now confirmed bloody massacre of Nigerians youths by security forces at the Lekki Tollgate.
The caucus also demanded the immediate resignation of Lai Mohammed for lying to Nigerians that the alleged massacre never took place even in the face of damning evidence.
In the statement titled ‘Lagos EndSARS Report: FG Officials Have Questions to Answer – Reps Minority Caucus,” Elumelu also called on the government to fully implement their own side of the 2020 Lagos EndSARS report, just as the lawmakers resolved to ensure justice for the bereaved families.
The statement read; “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 the 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 ones for having the audacity to demand 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 cries 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.”
KanyiDaily recalls that Popular Nigerian singer, Burna Boy has also berated Lai Mohammed for lying about the killing of unarmed #EndSARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State.
