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November 26, 2024
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Governor Sanwo-Olu suspended his Senior Special Assistant on Print Media, Ajetunmobi, over allegations of misrepresentation of facts regarding the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
Human rights lawyer and activist, Inibehe Effiong, has called for an urgent investigation into allegations of extra-judicial killings as revealed by Wale Ajetunmobi, a suspended aide to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Governor Sanwo-Olu suspended his Senior Special Assistant on Print Media, Ajetunmobi, over allegations of misrepresentation of facts regarding the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
The suspension, in a statement released on Tuesday by the governor's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, had followed controversial remarks made by Ajetunmobi on his personal X account (formerly Twitter).
Meanwhile, Effiong in a statement via his X handle on Tuesday described Ajetunmobi’s confession as “alarming” and urged law enforcement agencies to act swiftly.
In the statement he addressed to Governor Sanwo-Olu, Effiong stated, "Suspending Wale Ajetunmobi as your aide does not address the alarming confession of extra-judicial killings made by him.
"This matter has to be investigated thoroughly by law enforcement agencies. He should be taken into custody immediately."
Effiong highlighted Ajetunmobi’s alleged admission that those responsible for burning the TVC News station at CMD Road, Ikosi, Lagos, were tracked down and assassinated.
He added, "As a media organisation, I believe TVC will want this grave revelation investigated."
The lawyer called on both the Lagos State Government and the Lagos State Police Command to clarify the matter, raising critical questions: "Where are the suspects or persons arrested in connection with the arson? What are their names? Has anyone been charged with the arson committed at TVC station?"
Effiong expressed concern over the silence surrounding the fate of those accused of attacking the TVC News station. "I have been wondering why there is no news on the fate of those who attacked TVC News.
Now that the suspended aide of the Lagos State Governor has confessed that the suspects were murdered, the public deserves answers," he said.
He warned against allowing government officials or political allies to assume roles as executioners, asserting, "We cannot tolerate a situation where the government or those sympathetic to the government or the political class will act as executioners."
Effiong concluded by stressing that only the judiciary has the constitutional authority to determine guilt in criminal cases. "The judiciary is the sole constitutional authority empowered to determine the guilt of anyone accused of a crime," he emphasised.
The public now awaits the Lagos State Government’s response to these allegations and demands for accountability.
The statement reads in parts, “Dear Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Suspending Wale Ajetunmobi as your aide does not address the alarming confession of extra-judicial killings made by him. This matter has to be investigated thoroughly by law enforcement agencies.
“He should be taken into custody immediately.
“It is imperative for urgent actions to be taken. The Lagos State Government and the Lagos State Police Command have to come clean on this matter.
Where are the suspects or persons arrested in connection with the arson? What are their names? Has anyone been charged with the arson committed at TVC station?”
Dear Governor @jidesanwoolu,
Suspending Wale Ajetunmobi as your aide does not address the alarming confession of extra-judicial killings made by him. This matter has to be investigated thoroughly by law enforcement agencies.
He should be taken into custody immediately.
Wale…
— Inibehe Effiong (@InibeheEffiong) November 26, 2024
In his post, Ajetunmobi had claimed that the majority of individuals allegedly involved in the burning of Television Continental (TVC) during the protests had been "hunted down and executed."
The state government's statement condemned the post, labelling it a misrepresentation of facts and emphasising the importance of accuracy and professionalism in public communications.
Akosile had noted that the Lagos State Government disassociates itself from the unfounded claims made by Ajetunmobi.