The Nigerian Army says it has not received any formal petition over its alleged shooting of unarmed #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate on October 20.
Counsel for the Nigerian Army Akinlolu Kehinde made the assertion on Saturday before the Lagos judicial panel investigating police brutality.
Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Taiwo was called to give evidence on behalf of the Nigerian Army on the events of October 20.
He said: “I must submit today that there is no allegation whatsoever against the Nigerian Army before this panel.
“I urge your lordship to discountenance any proposal that the testimony of the Nigerian Army should not be allowed because of a proposed petition.
“Unfortunately for reasons known to most of us, the Nigerian Army could not give their testimony when they were summoned on the last adjourned date. It is a very respectable organisation.
“The Nigerian Army is here again ready to testify, and they have set up their projector and is ready to discharge the summons.
“I repeat, as at six minutes to 11am today, no petition has been served against the Nigerian Army, if any petition has been served, we will respond.”
Earlier, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika the counsel representing seven #EndSARS protesters had said he had been unable to make a formal claim on behalf of his clients before the panel.
Olumide-Fusika said that the panel’s terms of reference only covered matters relating to the Nigerian Police and the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and that his complaint is against the Nigerian Army.
He also noted that the panel must be set up by a legal instrument and apart from the tweets from the Lagos State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu stating that a panel will be established.
Meanwhile, the head of the nine-man panel, Justice Doris Okuwobi (rtd) in a ruling stated that the alleged shootings at Lekki covered the panel’s terms of reference.
