The Lagos State judicial panel on restitution for the victims of SARS related abuses and other matters resumed sitting today Friday 18th December, 2020 by taking on 9 petitions
In the first petition of the day, Okoliagu Abunike vs SARS, the case could not proceed due to the absence of the petitioner counsel who had written the panel intimating it, with a case scheduled for same day at the court of appeal of which he is appearing and thus was seeking an adjournment to 8th of January, 2021.
However the respondent counsel informed the panel that he had just been served with the written address of the petitioner counsel and that due to the fact that the case had suffered series of adjustments, urged the panel to discountenance the letter of petitioner counsel absence and deal with the matter on the grounds that the petitioner counsel had adopted his final address.
The respondent counsel informed the panel to allow him adopts his final address dated 11th December, 2020.
The panel chairman Justice Doris Okuwobi (Rtd) ruled that in view of the circumstances, the panel admits the petitioner address, though he is absent and same with the respondent, consequently, it had adjourned ruling to a date to be communicated to both parties.
In the second case of the day of Mr. Ndukwe Ezekwe vs SARS, the case could not go on due to the absence of the petitioner counsel who was absent due to a matter at the court of appeal of which a letter in that respect was submitted to the panel.
Respondent counsel asked for a long adjournment due to the fact that his witness was from a location outside the jurisdiction of the panel, but the panel adjourned the matter to 15th January, 2021
In the third case of the day, involving Mr. Olalekan Faleye vs The Nigeria army and the Nigeria Police, the petitioner was absent and was not represented by any counsel.
However the respondent counsel asked for the Nigeria police to be excused from the case because according to him, having gone through the petition, there was nowhere the Nigeria police was mentioned, but the panel in its disagreed and said the application was premature, that because the case was coming up for the first time, it was only fair to adjourn, which it did by adjourning the case to 9th January, 2021.
The fourth case of the day involved Mr. Lucky Philemon vs The Nigeria army and the Nigeria police. The petitioner was represented by a counsel who informed the panel that his client suffered injuries sustained from shootings on the 20th of October, 2020 within the Lekki axis which resulted in the amputation of his leg.
However the panel chairman Justice Doris Okuwobi (Rtd) ruled that since the Nigeria army has been mentioned in the petition of which they are unaware, it is only logical for them to be served summons to defend themselves, the panel thereafter adjourned the matter to 8th January, 2021 for hearing.
In the fifth petition of the day of Mr. Adebay Yinka Austin vs SARS, the petitioner was absent, neither was he represented by a counsel. The panel then ruled that in view of the fact that the matter is coming up for the first time, it was adjourning the matter to 9th January, 2021 for further hearing.
Same fate as above befell the sixth petition of Mr. Canaan Chukwuezi vs the Nigeria police as the petitioner was absent and was not represented by a counsel, thus the panel adjourned the matter also to 9th January, 2021.
In the seventh petition of the day, of Mr. Osidipe Olajide Sunday vs SARS, the petitioner was present but without a counsel. The panel then intimated the petitioner with the offer of free legal services by the NBA and asked if he is interested in making use of the offer, of which he acceded.
The panel then adjourned the matter to the 15th of January, 2021 to enable the petitioner take advantage of the NBA offer even though, they were absent at today’s sitting.
In the eight case of the day involving Inspector Ayodeji Bankole Erinfolami vs the Nigeria police, the petitioner Mrs. Olamide Erinfolami, the widow of the slain policeman who had been married to him for 15 years narrated how she was informed about the killing of her husband during the EndSARS protest in Surulere on the 12th of October, 2020 by a call from a kinsman police officer serving in Maiduguri who said he saw it on social media.
She asserted that the only comfort for the family so far has come for the Lagos State Government which compensated her family and those of other slain policemen families to the tune of 10 million naira each. She complained of the family being abandoned by the police authorities till date.
She implored the panel to help her get justice through the release of the corpse of her late husband for autopsy and burial, as the family he left behind comprising aged parents, brothers, sisters and two children are distraught.
She demanded to know who killed her husband.
The matter was thereafter adjourned to 15th January, 2021 for further hearing.
In the final petition of the day involving Albarka youth foodstuff sellers association vs the Nigeria police, the petitioner was absent and was not represented by a counsel, however respondent counsel asked for an adjournment due to the absence of the petitioner.
The panel therefore ruled that since the petition is coming up for the first time and with the name of the environmental task force mentioned in the matter, it was only right for the environmental task force to be summoned; thereafter the case was adjourned to 15th January, 2021
Share your story or I Witness Reports with us 24/7 via: SMS: +234 (0)9076248001
Whatsapp: +234(0)8072022024, Email: [email protected], follow us on our social media platform: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook:@Gatmash and Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: Gatmash TV. Gatmash News is one of the most sought- after news portals, with increasing audience, exclusive breaking news and reports across the globe. Plus more. Website: www.gatmash.com
For advert placement, contact us today via email: [email protected] or call our hotlines on Tel: +234(0)9076248001
