By Akinwale Kasali
Reactions have trailed the reopening of the Lekki Toll Gate after the unfortunate incident that happened at the scene during the #EndSars Protest by youths and Nigerians.
Political Activist, Timi Frank, on Tuesday, condemned in strong terms the ordered re-opening of the Lekki Tollgate Plaza by the Lagos State Judicial Panel.
The Panel of Inquiry, led by Justice Doris Okuwobi (rtd), was set up to thoroughly investigate all verifiable claims of abuses and fatalities arising from defunct SARS brutal activities, bring erring officers to justice and ensure adequate compensation for the victims.
Youths protesting against SARS brutality and irresponsible governance in the country were shot at, and some allegedly killed by men of the Nigerian Army during the Lekki Tollgate shootings aimed at quelling the #EndSARS uprising.
The soldiers, allegedly acted on orders from above.
To the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, the action of the Panel is patently insensitive to the plight of innocent Nigerians who lost their lives or were maimed for life during the attack by security forces.
He accused the panel of bias and acting the script of the Lagos State and the Federal Governments who consider the revelations emanating from the panel as a source of continuous embarrassment.
He insisted that the Lagos State Government that constituted the panel is simply out to protect the interest of “big business” not minding the huge scars inflicted on Nigerians and Nigeria by the unprovoked Lekki Tollgate massacre.
He urged Nigerians to ignore the re-opening order which was rejected by four out of the nine-member panel.
He vowed that Nigerian youths will not rest until the masterminds are brought to justice.
“This is simply a display of crass insensitivity. The panel has shown by this action that they are not out to serve the cause of justice but to protect the interest of big business, Lagos State and Federal Government.
“Nigerians youths who died will not die in vain. I call on Nigerians resident in Lagos to ignore this reprehensible order that emanated from a kangaroo panel out to pervert the cause of justice rather than ensure it.
“The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the ex-Service Chiefs who masterminded the killing of innocent Nigerians at the #LekkiMassacre must pay for their crimes against humanity either on earth or in the hereafter,” Frank declared.
The Bayelsa-born political activist called on Nigerians to stand up for the victims of the murderous action of the Nigerian Government by staging solidarity protests wherever they live in memory of the exterminated youths.
He expressed support for the #OccupyLekkiTollGate and called on Nigerian youths not to be intimidated by the action of security forces who may be out to frustrate the plan.
However, the Lagos State Government has warned against the planned protest by youths on February 13, against the order to reopen the Lekki Toll Gate.
