By SEGUN JAMES

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has said the White Paper on the report submitted by the Lagos State Judicial Panel on Police Brutality is illegal.

On November 15, the panel submitted two documents — a consolidated report on police brutality and an investigation into the Lekki shooting incident — to the state government.

After receiving the report, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu constituted a four-member committee to come up with a white paper on the panel’s recommendations.

Citing Section 15 (2) of the Tribunals of Inquiry Law of Lagos State, Falana said the report of the judicial panel is as effective as a judgment of the Lagos State High Court, adding that its findings can only be challenged in a competent court.

“It was my view that since the committee is unknown to law, the members were not competent to edit, modify, alter, edit or reject the report of the commission,” he said.

“More so, that the members of White Paper committee did not have the opportunity of taking evidence from the witnesses who had testified before the commission.

“I argued further than that the governor cannot reject the report, summary of evidence and findings of the Okuwobi Judicial Commission in any material particular.

“I am not unaware that it is the practice of governments to issue a white paper on the report of a commission of inquiry. But since there is no provision for a White Paper under the law, the Lagos State Government is bound by the findings and recommendations of the Panel.

“Therefore, any institution and individual indicted by the commission may wish to approach the High Court to challenge any aspect of the report. Since the White Paper committee is illegal its findings are of no moment.”

The senior lawyer also criticised the report of the white paper committee, stating that there were many contradictions.
According to The Cable, Falana argued that in the previous interviews on ARISE NEWS Channel and CNN, the governor had admitted to visiting victims at the hospital as well as admitting that two persons were killed.

“By insisting that only one person was killed at the Lekki Toll Gate, the writers of the White Paper contradicted an earlier statement by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu that two people were killed following a violent attack on peaceful protesters by Nigerian soldiers,” he said.

Falana also faulted the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyo Onigbanjo, for stating that the panel did not disclose the identities of the soldiers who shot at protesters.
“For goodness sake, were the protesters expected to ask for the names of the soldiers during the murderous attack?” Falana queried. (THISDAY: Excludes headline)

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