SaharaReporters on Friday reported that the Lagos state government rejected the judgement of the Federal High Court and had filed a notice of appeal against the judgement, a development which generated a lot of backlash.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Saturday made a U-turn and ordered the payment of N5million compensation to Adedotun Clement, an Uber driver who was tortured during the EndSARS memorial according to a judgement of the Federal High Court.
SaharaReporters on Friday reported that the Lagos state government rejected the judgement of the Federal High Court and had filed a notice of appeal against the judgement, a development which generated a lot of backlash.
Clement, an Uber driver was severely tortured on October 20, 2021 at the Lekki Toll-Gate during the first EndSARS anniversary.
Meanwhile, the governor in a statement on Saturday said he had “directed the Honorable Attorney General to set up a meeting and pay him the compensation awarded by the court.”
The governor in a statement on his verified Twitter page said, “Good evening Lagos, as governor, I’m committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens’ rights with empathy and authority.
“I recently became aware of the case involving Mr. Clement Adedotun and the judgement by the Federal High Court, and I understand the impact this legal battle has had on him.
“After reviewing Mr. Clement’s case, I’ve directed the Honorable Attorney General to set up a meeting and pay him the compensation awarded by the court.”
According to the governor, although the state government has appealed the ruling, “I’ve interceded in this instance in the interest of the public good, and requested that the state’s Attorney General comply with the court’s ruling.”
Sanwo-Olu said as a strong advocate for the rule of law, he commended all parties for seeking justice through the appropriate channels, adding that he remained committed to upholding the rights of all Lagosians.
Clement was carrying a passenger to Lagos Mainland when he encountered a gridlock at the Lekki Toll-Gate during a protest to commemorate the first anniversary of EndSARS.
He was however, grabbed, tortured and pepper-sprayed by officers of the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Agency and policemen.
The brutal attack on the Uber driver was widely reported, following which the civil society organisations and rights activists condenmed the attack, describing it as unacceptable.
Sequel to the outcry that greeted the attack, a human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, filed a lawsuit against the Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Police Force to seek redress on behalf of the victim.
It was the suit that on March 13, the court awarded the N5 million damages against the government.
Following the judgment, Effiong wrote a letter to Governor Sanwo-Olu on March 16, 2023 demanding compliance with the judgment.
However, the governor refused to act on the demand, instead the State Government filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Lagos division against the judgment after the Babajide Sanwo-Olu won his re-election.
In a Notice of Appeal filed on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, but served on Friday, March 23, signed by Dr Babajide Martins, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, the government had said there was no evidence that the Uber driver was tortured.
Responding to the appeal, Effiong said his client was disappointed by the action of the Lagos State Government but that he was ready to face the government at the Court of Appeal.