The African Action Congress has condemned the action of the Lagos State government over a leaked memo concerning the alleged plan by the government to bury several victims of the #ENDSARS protesters, suspected to have been killed by security forces during the movement.
AAC in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer in the state, Osatohamhen Ebhohon, said it is now confirmed that the movement was characterised by gross human rights violations, state-sponsored violence, homicide and a cover-up of the truth.
“Recent revelations of a leaked mass burial memo which was authenticated by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, have reaffirmed what the masses already knew – the tragic events that unfolded during the #EndSARS protests were characterised by gross human rights violations, state-sponsored violence, homicide and a cover-up of the truth.
“The leaked memo, which is now the most talked-about topic in both the Nigeria legacy news media and social media space, exposes the Lagos State government’s role in contracting a private firm, Messrs Tos Funeral Ltd, to bury 103 bodies of EndSARS victims.
“The cost of this mass burial amounted to N61,285,000. This revelation raises serious questions about the government’s accountability for the killings and its efforts to suppress the truth from the public.
“In any just society, those responsible for such atrocities, including ex-President Buhari, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, General Omata of the Nigerian Army, and CSP Raji of Maroko police station, would be facing the full wrath of the law.
“However, it is disheartening to witness the attempt to cover up the #EndSARS massacre. The African Action Congress party is deeply disturbed that the Lagos State government, led by Sanwo-Olu, has yet to take responsibility for the killing of law-abiding citizens, even with the damning report of the Justice Doris Okwuobi panel, which found the Lagos state government culpable.
“The evidence presented during the panel’s proceedings, including the confession of the head of Nigerian military intelligence, Brigadier General Ahmed Taiwo, and the testimony of the Chief Pathologist at LASUTH, John Obafunwa, clearly implicates the Lagos State government in the gruesome act.
“Despite these, and the ample video evidence available online and numerous brave eyewitnesses who have provided crucial testimonies that depict security forces engaging in violent actions, including the gruesome murder of peaceful #EndSars protesters, on October 20, 21 to 24, 2020, the Lagos government through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, continued to deny its involvement and manipulates the narrative, falsely attributing the deaths to community clashes that resulted from the #EndSars protest.
“We must not be fooled by these deceptive tactics. The people of Lagos and all well-meaning citizens must unite and hold our killers and their accomplices accountable.
“It is unacceptable that more than 34 innocent citizens charged with crimes they did not commit are languishing in prison without any incriminating evidence.
“We demand justice for all victims of the #EndSARS protests and the immediate release of all detainees,” the ACC stated.
The party however emphasized that the Justice Doris Okwuobi panel had rightly recommended compensation for all victims and the unconditional release of all #EndSARS detainees.
It urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to stick to the panel’s recommendations and take decisive action in ensuring justice is served.
It strengthened that failure of the government to comply would incite mass resistance from the people, who according to Ebhohon, would not tolerate the mockery of the victims and the continued denial of their rights.
“The African Action Congress (AAC) party stands with the people of Lagos and Nigeria in demanding accountability, justice, and an end to state-sponsored violence.
“We urge everyone to join us in this call for action and make our voices heard until justice is served.
However, the party released the following as a list of the 34 #ENDSARS protesters, it is aware of still being kept in detention: Ogidi Joseph, Marcus Joseph, Joseph Oyebowale, Muyiwa Onikoyi, Taiwo Fagbemi, Jamiu Sani and Segun Adeniji,
Others include Ibrahim Adesanya, Daniel Joyibo, Dare Williams, Sunday Okoro, Adigun Sodiq, Yusuf Rafiu, Shehu Anas, and Yakubu Olayiwola. Ismail Muftao, and Bethel Chukwuocha.
Similarly, Onuora Odih, Jeremiah Lucky, Gideon Ikwujoma, Haruna Adekunjo, IrinyemiOluwanbe, Joshua Adeleke, Kabiru Ajetunmobi, and Moses Ofoke, Quadri Azeez, Idris Lawal, Charles Godstine Adele, Akeem Azeez, SodiqRiliwan, Olamide Lekan, Olumide Fatai, and Oluwole Yisa, are still being detained, according to the party.