Lekki shootings: Again, Army Shuns Lagos panel

For the second time consecutively, the 81 Division of the
Nigerian Army, Friday failed to honour a summons compelling its
appearance at the Lagos State Judicial Panel probing the Lekki Toll
Gate incident.

The army’s counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde SAN, was also, again,
absent.

At the last adjournment of the proceedings on December 12,
further hearing in the case involving the Nigerian Army’s role at
the Lekki shootings of October 20 was stalled following the absence
of two key military officers.

The panel, chaired by Judge Emeritus Doris Okuwobi, heard that
the army rejected summons requiring the appearance of a lieutenant
colonel of the 81 Division, S.O Bello, who led the battalion
involved in the Lekki shooting.

It heard that another witness summons served on Godwin Umelo,
the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 81 Division, was accepted,
but he was also absent at the day’s proceedings.

The panel heard that their absence might not be unconnected with
the outbreak of COVID-19 in the military high command which
reportedly caused the death of a General.

Their invitation followed the testimony of the Commander of 81
Division of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Ibrahim Taiwo,
debunking claims that soldiers shot #EndSARS protesters with live
bullets during the operation.

Bello was the Commanding Officer of the 65 Batallion, which was
at the toll gate on the evening of October 20.

Petitioners at the tribunal have alleged that soldiers fired
live bullets at peaceful protesters, killing and injuring several,
contrary to the army and the Federal Government’s claim that only
blanks were fired, in the air to disperse stone throwers.

Justice Okuwobi renewed the summons and directed that it be
served on Mr. Kehinde SAN, following which proceedings were
adjourned.

But at the resumption of the panel’s proceedings yesterday,
neither Umelo nor Bello was available. The military’s counsel was
also absent.

Justice Okuwobi ordered for fresh summons to be issued to the
concerned officers.

“Service shall also be made to the Office of the Chief of Army
Staff and learned Counsel Mr. Kehinde. I remember learned counsel
at the close of the army witness number 1, clearly indicated that
he had a brief to take on just that witness. He is a senior officer
of the court and I am certain he will have no difficulty assisting
the panel reach some military personnel who he settled their
briefs, as shown in the affidavit evidence of the officers
mentioned.”

She adjourned further proceedings in the petition till January
23, 2021.

For the second time consecutively, the 81 Division of the
Nigerian Army, Friday failed to honour a summons compelling its
appearance at the Lagos State Judicial Panel probing the Lekki Toll
Gate incident.

The army’s counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde SAN, was also, again,
absent.

At the last adjournment of the proceedings on December 12,
further hearing in the case involving the Nigerian Army’s role at
the Lekki shootings of October 20 was stalled following the absence
of two key military officers.

The panel, chaired by Judge Emeritus Doris Okuwobi, heard that
the army rejected summons requiring the appearance of a lieutenant
colonel of the 81 Division, S.O Bello, who led the battalion
involved in the Lekki shooting.

It heard that another witness summons served on Godwin Umelo,
the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 81 Division, was accepted,
but he was also absent at the day’s proceedings.

The panel heard that their absence might not be unconnected with
the outbreak of COVID-19 in the military high command which
reportedly caused the death of a General.

Their invitation followed the testimony of the Commander of 81
Division of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Ibrahim Taiwo,
debunking claims that soldiers shot #EndSARS protesters with live
bullets during the operation.

Bello was the Commanding Officer of the 65 Batallion, which was
at the toll gate on the evening of October 20.

Petitioners at the tribunal have alleged that soldiers fired
live bullets at peaceful protesters, killing and injuring several,
contrary to the army and the Federal Government’s claim that only
blanks were fired, in the air to disperse stone throwers.

Justice Okuwobi renewed the summons and directed that it be
served on Mr. Kehinde SAN, following which proceedings were
adjourned.

But at the resumption of the panel’s proceedings yesterday,
neither Umelo nor Bello was available. The military’s counsel was
also absent.

Justice Okuwobi ordered for fresh summons to be issued to the
concerned officers.

“Service shall also be made to the Office of the Chief of Army
Staff and learned Counsel Mr. Kehinde. I remember learned counsel
at the close of the army witness number 1, clearly indicated that
he had a brief to take on just that witness. He is a senior officer
of the court and I am certain he will have no difficulty assisting
the panel reach some military personnel who he settled their
briefs, as shown in the affidavit evidence of the officers
mentioned.”

She adjourned further proceedings in the petition till January
23, 2021.