Nigerians want Lekki Toll Gate occupied as controversy trails its re-opening
Pascal Oparada
After the Lagos State Judicial Panel of inquiry ruled in favour of reopening the Lekki Toll Gate, the centre of #EndSARS protest in October, some members of the panel rejected the idea.
Last Friday, the panel had 4-5 to reopen the Toll Gate and allow the Lagos State government to take possession with the view to commencing commercial activities.
Some #EndSARS members of the panel who dissented said some of their members were absent during the voting and hence the 4-5 margin would not have been a quorum.
“Let it be known that today, I and @TemiOanu dissented to the reopening of the Lekki Toll Gate on the Lagos panel
“This, as a result of LCC inability to provide access to their CCTV servers for the forensic expert employed by the panel to authenticate the footage they submitted.
“Also, we are of the view that the investigations into the Lekki Toll Gate incidence have barely begun, and so the Lekki Toll Gate should remain shut until full investigations are concluded by the Panel.
“Also the ruling that Lekki Toll Gate should be reopened cannot hold, as a quorum wasn’t formed today with the youth representatives absent. It is also pertinent to note that 5 of 9 can’t form a proper quorum.” Bolatito Oduala said on Twitter.
One of the prominent members of the #EndSARS, DJ Switch, said that reopening the Toll Gate would amount to injustice to those who died during the protest.
We cannot allow operations to begin at the Lekki Tollgate wen justice has not prevailed! This is wrong! I have always known 4m the start The panel trolls screamed at my absence for is a sham! @followlasg you have failed the young people of Lagos state! #EndSARS
— Dj Switch (@dj_switchaholic) February 6, 2021
“We cannot allow operations to begin at the Lekki Tollgate wen justice has not prevailed! This is wrong! I have always known 4m the start The panel trolls screamed at my absence for is a sham!”, She said.
On Monday, Nigerians took to Twitter to demand that the Toll Gate be occupied in order to protest what the call injustice.
#OccupyLekkiTollGate has trended as calls intensify to bring closure to those killed during the protest.
Lagos State government, Lekki Concession Company and some members of the Lagos State Judicial Panel members inspired the #OccupyLekkiTollGate protest planned for 7am on Saturday, February 13.
— 'Gbénga Ṣẹ̀san (@gbengasesan) February 8, 2021
What we have learned from the Judicial panels , #EndSARS , and #LekkiMassacre ;
1. Never negotiate with this govt.
2. When you go out on the streets, stay on the streets until your demands are met.
3. Prepare for violence, they always bring it.We should #OccupyLekkiTollGate
— Somto Onuchukwu (@chosensomto) February 8, 2021
Its exactly three months and eight days since peaceful protesters were sent to thier early graves at the Lekki Toll gate, Yet no one is answering to the genocidal attacks. We won't keep quiet. In an Unjust Society, Silence is an heinous crime. Why wont we #OccupyLekkiTollGate pic.twitter.com/WqgPeYHwGv
— Asiwaju_himself 🇳🇬 (@Deji_Obadofin) February 8, 2021
