The Lagos State Panel of Judicial Inquiry probing the alleged shooting of #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki tollgate has suspended its sitting following the absence of two youth member representatives of the panel.
Newsflash247 understands that Oluwarinu Rachael Oduala and Temitope Majekodunmi were boycotting the sitting in reaction to a request by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) seeking to freeze accounts of 19 Nigerians and a public affairs company linked to the End SARS protests.
This online news platform had reported earlier that the CBN request was granted by a Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. The request which was filed before the court on October 20 was granted by Justice Ahmed Mohammed.
According to reports, some Nigerian banks were directed to freeze all transactions on the 20 accounts on the list annexed to the CBN’s application as Exhibit A and all other bank accounts of the defendants/respondents for a period of 180 days pending the outcome of the investigation and inquiry currently being conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
#EndSARS promoters affected by the order include Wisdom Busaosowo Obi, Nicholas Ikhalea Osazele, Ebere Idibie, Akintomide Lanre Yusuf, Uhuo Ezenwanyi Promise, Bolatito Racheal Oduala, Chima David Ibebunjoh, Mary Doose Kpengwa, Saadat Temitope Bibire, Bassey Victor Israel, and Mosopefoluwa Odeseye.
Others are; Babatunde Victor Segun, Mulu Louis Teghenan, Mary Oshifowora, Winifred Akpevweoghene Jacob, Victor Solomon, Idunu A. Williams, Adegoke Pamilerin, Umoh Grace Ekanem, and Gatefield Nigeria Limited.
On Saturday, retired Justice Doris Okuwobi, the chairman of the judicial panel, said the panel would have to suspend its sitting as it could not form a quorum in the absence of the youth member of the panel.
NAN reports that A. I. Taiwo, a Brigadier general, was already at the venue to give the Nigerian Army’s testimony on the alleged shooting of peaceful protesters at Lekki on October 20 but the panel failed to form a quorum.
Temitope Majekodunmi and Olorunrinu Oduala, the two youth representatives on the panel, did not attend the sitting to protest the freezing of Oduala’s First Bank account by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Oduala said her bank account was frozen on November 6 over alleged sponsorship of the #EndSARS protests.
Doris Okuwobi (retired), chairperson of nine-member panel, said proceedings will not hold due to Oduala and Majekodunmi’s absence.
“We are confronted with a situation which prevented her from coming. We do not know if the two youth representatives will eventually pull out,” Okuwobi said.
“We do not want a situation where proceedings will go on and it is impugned that with controversy due to a lack of quorum.”
Okuwobi stressed the importance of the entire panel’s sitting being in accordance with the law.
“In all matters, we have to wait for them to join us, without them we are handicapped,” the retired judge said.
In reaction, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), counsels the Nigerian Army, said the military was at the panel in response to a summons dated October 28 and asked the panel when the military should return to give evidence.
Kayode Enitan (SAN), counsel for the Lagos state government, aligned with the submission of the counsel for the Nigerian military. He, however, noted the importance of a quorum.
“The issue of quorum is of utmost importance as to the competence of the panel to proceed and as to the integrity of recommendations to be made at the end of proceedings,” the LASG counsel said.
“Therefore, the directive that the panel should adjourn is quite appropriate.”
Okuwobi adjourned the panel’s proceedings to November 14.
