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Tag: #OccupyLekkiTollGate

  • Lekki protests: LASG denies ordering arrest, maltreatment of protesters; says CP will give account of what happened

    Lekki protests: LASG denies ordering arrest, maltreatment of protesters; says CP will give account of what happened

    The Lagos State Government on Sunday said the Commissioner of Police will be questioned on the events at the Lekki Toll Gate – the venue for the planned #OccupyLekkiTollGate protests on February 13.

    The State Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, said during an interview on a monitored Channel Television programme.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that during the protest, popular comedian Debo Adebayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, along with some others were arrested by the police.

    They were also said to have been mistreated as videos that have now gone viral online, showed some of them being thrown shirtless into a police van.

    The protesters had come out to oppose the decision of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry to reopen the Lekki Toll Gate and hand it over to the Lekki Concession Company.

    According to the Commissioner for Justice, the government has no problem with residents exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression or participation in peaceful protests, however, if the action of the protesters is seen to result in a breakdown of law and order, then that is where a crime is being committed.

    He cited a breach of COVID-19 protocols as part of the offences of those arrested, as well as the fear that the exercise could go out of hand.

    “We cannot afford the sort of vandalism we saw before,” Onigbanjo said.

    He, however, stated that the CP will be asked to give proper accounts of the events that led to the arrests, especially if they indeed mistreated peaceful protesters.

    “We condemn any act of brutality on the part of the police,” the commissioner said, explaining that the government is not the one who gives such orders.

    “The Nigerian police force is a legal entity of its own, with its own processes.

    “But the role of the police stops when it comes to prosecution.The state government will ask the CP to give an account of what happened”.

    Onigbanjo further defended the state government, saying that the ideally, arrests made on weekends don’t get to be brought to court until Monday, but in the case of those arrested, mobile court was set up immediately and the arrested youths were allowed bail and released later that same day.

    “We were hell-bent on ensuring that nobody’s right is trampled upon,” he said.

  • How I ignored my father to join #OccupyLekkiTollGate protest – Mr Macaroni [FULL VIDEO]

    How I ignored my father to join #OccupyLekkiTollGate protest – Mr Macaroni [FULL VIDEO]

    Social media comedian, Debo Adebayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni has narrated how he ignored the warning of his father to go ahead and join in the #OccupyLekkiTollGate protest.

    Recall that Mr Macaroni was picked up along with 39 other #OccupyLekkiTollGate protesters on Saturday.

    They were dehumanized and were arraigned at a mobile court before they were granted bail.

    Following his release, “Mr Macaroni went on Twitter to say: The Hausa man is my brother, so is the Igbo man and The Yoruba man. We are all one. The Government and the Government alone is responsible for any insecurity in Nigeria and it is their duty to protect all Nigerians. I plead for peace. We will come back to my matter later”.

    Meanwhile, he has released a video in which he narrated how he ignored the warning of his father to go ahead and join in the #OccupyLekkiTollGate protest.

    WATCH VIDEO BELOW:

  • #OccupyLekki: We get treated as slaves, criminals for demanding our rights-Rinu

    #OccupyLekki: We get treated as slaves, criminals for demanding our rights-Rinu

    #EndSARS campaigner, Rinu Oduala, has said nothing must happen to #OccupyLekkiTollgate protesters including popular comedian Debo Adebayo, also known as Mr Macaroni.

    Oduala, who berated the unlawful arrest of the protesters, also called on the Speaker of the House of Representative, Femi Gbajabiamila; and other politicians in the state to condemn the arrest and detention of the protesters.

    She tweeted, “Nothing must happen to Mr Macaroni. The Police will arrest until they get tired!

    “Under Buhari’s democracy, we beg for our rights to be recognised. We get treated as slaves and criminals just for demanding for our rights. #EndSARS.”

    TheNewsGuru recalls that the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry probing alleged killing of #EndSARS protesters by soldiers at the Lekki toll gate, decided to hand over the tollgate back to its operators, Lekki Concession Company, after forensic experts submitted their report on the October 20, 2020 incident.

    Four members of the panel including Oduala, a youth representative who later stepped down from the panel for what she described as injured, faulted the decision of the panel but the chairman of the panel, retired Justice Doris Okuwobi, and four other members of the panel acceded to LCC’s request to repossess the toll gate.

  • Photos/Video: Police arrest, lockup more #OccuppyLekki Protesters inside Black Maria

    Photos/Video: Police arrest, lockup more #OccuppyLekki Protesters inside Black Maria

    About 18 #OcuppyLekkiTollGate protesters were reportedly arrested by the heavily armed policemen stationed at the Lekki Toll Gate on Saturday.

    Recall that TheNewsGuru.com, TNG had earlier reported the arrest of popular social media comedian, Mr. Macaroni and other protesters.

    Coordinator of the #OccupyLekkiTollgate, Kunle Ajayi said many of his people have been arrested by the police and put in a Black Maria and are about to be taken to an unknown destination.

    Meanwhile, the police arrested three other suspected protesters at the toll gate around 9:30am. The suspected protesters while being dragged into the Black Maria shouted repeatedly, ‘what have I done? Can’t I Walk in my own country?”

     

    One arrested suspect identified himself as Christopher, saying he is a site engineer going to Lekki and just got picked up.

    Another arrested suspect who identified himself as Adesegun Ayo said he was just picked up and has done nothing.

    The arrested suspects have been taken away in a police van from the venue of the planned protest.

    They were taken away in a Black Maria belonging to the Lekki Concession Company, LCC.

     

  • BREAKING: Police arrest popular social media comedian, Mr Macaroni, other #OccupyLekki protesters [Videos]

    BREAKING: Police arrest popular social media comedian, Mr Macaroni, other #OccupyLekki protesters [Videos]

    Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force stationed at the Lekki Toll Gate have started arresting deviant protesters under the aegis of #OccupyLekkiTollGate.

    Prominent Social media comedian, Debo Adebayo, popularly known as ‘Mr. Macaroni’ was one of those arrested. Other protesters were also arrested and driven away in a Black Maria.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Mr. Macaroni was one of the arrowheads of the Lagos #EndSARS protests last year.

    The comedian has started trending number on Twitter after his arrest.

    See videos below:

    https://twitter.com/Zaddy_Clinton/status/1360494276275224576?s=20

    https://twitter.com/therealdaddymo1/status/1360494980289220609?s=20

     

  • BREAKING: Rival group, #DefendLagos withdraws from today’s protest, gives reasons

    BREAKING: Rival group, #DefendLagos withdraws from today’s protest, gives reasons

    There seems to be a change of plan by the rival protest group in Lagos, #DefendLagos, as the convener, Alabi Oladimeji made an announcement of the group’s withdrawal from the protest scheduled to hold 7 am on Saturday (today) morning.

    Oladimeji made this known at a press conference hosted on his Facebook page, noting that the suspension was necessitated by the assurances of the federal and state governments that no protest would be allowed to hold.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that some Nigerians had earlier during the week formed #OccupyLekkiTollGate to protest the planned reopening of the toll gate. However, in no time, a rival group, #DefendLagos was formed to counter the protest ‘against further destruction’ of government properties. Both had fixed their protest for Saturday morning at the Lekki Toll Gate.

    However, the Federal and State Governments have sternly warned against such protests, saying government will resist it.

    TNG reports that the Lagos State Police Command also on Friday deployed its heavily armed operatives in a show of force to the Lekki Toll Gate signalling to both groups that the planned protests would not be allowed.

    Announcing the suspension of the protest, Oladimeji said: “No protest from #DefendLagos on Saturday (today). We are simultaneously respecting the state and federal governments.

    “I am proud to announce that for the main time, we will be pending this protest due to the law of the Federal and state governments. We are law-abiding and good citizens, definitely, we should not be the ones seen disobeying any law.

    “In respect of the President, Muhammadu Buhari, and Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. I am now announcing that anyone involved in #DefendLagos initiated by me should with immediate effect pend the protest. We are not going to hold any protest again on Saturday (today).

    “If Lagos and FG fail us, we will come out huge and protest on Monday.”

    He explained that though depressing, the plan to protest was never for personal benefits but to ensure that no destruction occurred in Lagos State.

    “It is depressing news for me because we have invested personal resources to produce banners, posters among others on this. But this is not an avenue for us to make money like those in the OccupyLagos,” he added.

    The DefendLagos campaigner also urged the governments to arrest anyone that contravened the directives stopping protests in the state.

    “If they come out to protest and the government allows that, it means that we can also protest. We trust the governments. The state and FG have banned any protests in Lagos. If they come out and the government did not arrest them, it means that the government has failed us,” he said.

  • #OccupyLekkiTollGate cannot hold – Lagos Govt

    #OccupyLekkiTollGate cannot hold – Lagos Govt

    The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to various opposing groups planning to embark on protests at the Lekki Toll Plaza on Saturday, advising them to shelve the plan.

    It is not an auspicious moment for such action, the State Government told the groups planning opposing rallies.

    The position of the State Government was made known at a joint press conference held at the Press Centre on Thursday by the Attorney General of Lagos, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, and Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu.

    The Government said it acknowledged the rights of the citizens to a lawful assembly and freedom to express their feelings as guaranteed by Section 39 and 40 of the Constitution, but it said the rights did not give any citizen the freedom to block highways and prevent other citizens from moving freely within the State.

    Onigbanjo said the Government would not allow any group to push the State, once again, to the edge of carnage, strongly advising those organising the “Occupy Lekki Toll Gate” and “Defend Lagos” protests to desist from the planned action.

    He said the State Government’s respect for the citizens’ rights to protest should not be seen as a licence to break the laws, warning that any individual or corporate organisation that incites an action leading to the destruction of public and private properties would be prosecuted and be made to pay damages.

    He said: “Attention of the State Government has been drawn to the planned protest scheduled for Saturday February 13, 2021 at the Lekki Toll Gate for and against the opening of the Admiralty Toll Gate. The State is aware of Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. However, such right does not permit the violation of the rights of other citizens in the State.

    “While the State recognises the importance of exercising the rights to peaceful protests, the same cannot extend to blockage of roads or actions preventing other members of the public from enjoying their fundamental rights to move freely within the State. Any individual or corporate body that incites or condones any act leading to the destruction of public and private properties shall be prosecuted under the extant laws and in addition to any penalty the court might pronounce. Such person or body will be liable to compensate for any damage, which may arise as a result of the action or inaction of such person or body.”

    The Attorney General also said the public health crisis occasioned by the spread of deadly variants of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) should discourage anyone attempting to assemble people for the planned protests, urging all groups to consider COVID-19 protocols that limit public gathering not to be more than 50 persons.

    Onigbanjo, therefore, directed the State’s Police Command to stop opposing groups from holding rallies in Lekki and any other parts of Lagos.

    Odumosu said the security intelligence gathered by the Police Command indicated the “Occupy Lekki Toll Gate” protest and planned counter rallies would degenerate into a breakdown of law and order, stressing that the police will not allow any group to carry out the action.

    The police chief said adequate arrangements on the deployment of security forces had been put in place to stop any violent protest, gathering and procession in any part of Lagos, stressing that the Police Command would rise in protection of law-abiding residents from any form of the violence.

    He said: “The Police Command has gathered credible intelligence that some hidden agents of destruction and shadow parties that orchestrated the last EndSARS violence have concluded plans to cause another mayhem in Lagos and spread the same to other parts of the country, tactically and spontaneously, like the recent violence.

    “Premised on the available intelligence and due threat analyses carried out on the planned protest, the Police Command perceives such proposed protest as a calculated attempt to cause pandemonium and massive destruction of lives and properties under whatever guide; such will not be allowed to hold in Lagos.”

    Odumosu appealed to the general public to advise their wards to ignore mobilisation for the protest and gathering in flouting the existing peace and security situation of the State. He said the police would resist the protest with necessary force, while respecting the rights of law-abiding citizens.

    Omotoso said the steps taken by the State Government on the planned protest was not to take away the fundamental rights of the citizens, but to prevent re-enactment of the event that led to destruction of public and private assets last October.

    The Commissioner sued for peace, urging the organisers of the planned protests and rallies to allow the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry conclude its investigation on what transpired between the military and EndSARS protesters.

    “We believe this kind of tension and anxiety being brought forward by the planned protest will not allow the panel to do a thorough job. If the authorities allow the protest and counter rallies to go on, there would be a breakdown of order and Lagos is not ripe for such action. It is on this premise that the State Government is appealing to all parties to thread with caution. Both sides have the right to express their feelings, but the time is wrong,” Omotoso said.

  • Why we cannot allow #OccupyLekkiTollGate to happen – FG

    Why we cannot allow #OccupyLekkiTollGate to happen – FG

    Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said never again will the Federal Government allow to happen the kind of violence that was perpetrated across the country during the EndSars protest last October.

    Lai Mohammed stated this in Abuja on Thursday while addressing a press conference, where he stressed there is intelligence at the disposal of the FG for some subversive elements to cause violence by hijacking the ”Occupy Lekki Toll Gate” protest planned for Saturday, February 13th 2021.

    The text of the press conference addressed by Lai Mohammed reads: “Good morning gentlemen and thank you for honouring our invitation once again.

    “As you may be aware, some EndSars proponents have given notice of their plan to return to Lagos – Lekki Toll Gate to be specific – on Saturday, February 13th 2021. The ”Occupy Lekki Toll Gate” flyers have been circulating online, with the proponents threatening that ”Lagos will burn” again.

    “Let me be clear: While peaceful protests are the constitutional rights of Nigerians, violent protests are not. At this time, the chances that any peaceful protest will be hijacked are very high. Based on the intelligence at the disposal of the Federal Government, some Nigerian activists have linked up with others outside Nigeria, including subversive elements, with a view to destabilizing the country. We cannot and must not allow this to happen.

    “Never again will the Federal Government allow the kind of violence that was perpetrated across the country under the guise of the EndSars last October. Never again will anyone or group be allowed to destroy cities or to kill and maim innocent citizens, including security agents, under any guise.

    “The EndSars campaign last October started as a peaceful protest against police brutality. As a government that believes in the constitutionally-guaranteed right of citizens to engage in peaceful protests, the Federal Government did nothing to hinder the protests for as long as they remained peaceful. Not only that, the Federal Government moved swiftly to accede to the five-point demands by the EndSars campaigners which are:

    i) Immediate release of all arrested protesters.

    ii) Justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families.

    iii) Setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct within 10 days.

    iv) In line with the new Police Act, psychological evaluation and retraining (to be confirmed by an independent body) of all disbanded SARS officers before they can be redeployed.

    v) And increase police salary so that they are adequately compensated for protecting the lives and property of citizens.

    “Unfortunately, despite the acceptance of the demands, the protesters misread the Federal Government’s respect for the rule of law and defiantly continued to demonstrate and occupy a public facility, even after a curfew was declared by the Lagos State Government. This led to a series of actions that culminated in the hijacking of the protests by hoodlums, who perpetrated unimaginable violence in Lagos and other cities across the country.

    “The trillion-Naira destruction of Lagos, in particular, remains too fresh a wound. Hundreds, including the youth, lost their livelihoods to the wanton attacks in Lagos. The burnt wreckage of public buses that were wantonly set ablaze by rampaging hoodlums remain in their positions as a sad and gory reminder of the unprecedented attacks. The city is still reeling from the war-like destruction.

    “For those who are using justice as an alibi for another round of destruction, let me say this: As we speak, the Judicial Panels of Inquiry, set up across the country to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality or related extra-judicial killings, with a view to delivering justice for all victims of the dissolved SARS and other police units, are continuing with the assignments. In Lagos, the Judicial Panel of Inquiry has an added responsibility of investigating the incident of October 20th at the Lekki Toll Gate.

    “Like we have said many times, anyone who has any information on the alleged shooting or purported massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate, including the names and addresses of those who were purportedly killed, should head to the Panel to give it such information. This is how to enhance the search for justice, not by rabble rousing or engaging in media shows.

    “However, any further resort to violence in the name of EndSars will not be tolerated this time. The security agents are ready for any eventuality. A situation in which six soldiers and 37 policemen were murdered in cold blood by hoodlums will not repeat itself. The attack, looting and razing of 269 private and public property will not happen again. The killing of 57 civilians will not be re-enacted.

    “We therefore strongly warn those who are planning to re-occupy Lekki Toll Gate on Saturday to desist. We know that many of those who have been loudest on social media in advertising the plan to reconvene in Lagos on Saturday are not even in Nigeria. They are elsewhere around the world fanning the embers of violence and inciting gullible people back home. No one should fall for their antics.

    “No government anywhere will allow a repeat of the kind of destruction, killing and maiming wrought by the hijackers of EndSars protests last year. After all, only one policeman – (plus four others) – was killed in the invasion of the US Capitol in January, yet the FBI has continued to hunt down and prosecute the perpetrators. No life is more important than the other.

    “The Federal Government is also keenly watching the role being played by the various social media platforms in this renewed clamour for violence in the country. Recall that the social media platforms that eagerly nudged on the EndSars protesters, until the situation got out of hand, are the same ones that quickly pulled the plug on even their own President when the chips were down in their own country. I hope we have all learnt our lessons. If we allow them to destroy our country, we will bear the brunt.

    “Gentlemen, I thank you for your kind attention. I will now take your questions on the issues that I have just addressed”.

  • #OccupyLekkiTollgate, #DefendLagos protests should be shelved –Adegboruwa

    #OccupyLekkiTollgate, #DefendLagos protests should be shelved –Adegboruwa

    A representative of civil society on the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry probing the alleged killing of #EndSARS protesters by soldiers at the Lekki Toll Gate, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has appealed to #OccupyLekkiTollgate and #DefendLagos campaigners to cancel the planned protest and counter-protest slated for Saturday, February 13, 2021.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that the panel last Saturday decided to hand over the toll gate back to its operators, Lekki Concession Company, after forensic experts submitted their report on the October 20, 2020 occurrence.

    Afterwards, hash tags such as #OccupyLekkiTollgate and counter-protest hash tags such as #DefendLagos and #DemNoBornYourPapaWell trended on social media.

    In a statement on Wednesday, Adegboruwa said the youths have the constitutional right to express themselves but appealed to them to shelve the planned demonstrations “at least for now”.

    He said, “A protest or counter-protest at this time, may work to jeopardize the overall work of the Panel, the witnesses appearing or to appear, the testimonies, the investigations or even affect its ultimate assignment.

    “I’m concerned about the consequences of protests and counter-protests, at the same location, in relation to security and likely violation of COVID 19 protocols, given the rising wave of the pandemic, in Lagos State especially, where most economic, social, educational and other activities, are partially grounded, presently.

    “While the assignment of investigating the Lekki Toll Gate Incident of 20th October 2020 is yet to be concluded by the Panel, it will be premature to proceed on it, as the basis of renewed calls for protest and counter-protest.

    “It is safer for now, for the Lagos State Government and its agencies, the EndSARS group and indeed all those concerned with the Lekki Toll Gate Incident, to await the final report of the Panel.

    “I appeal to all security agencies, especially the police and the army, both respondents before the Panel, to embrace caution and demonstrate utmost respect for the fundamental rights of all citizens, including protesters, counter-protesters and non-protesters alike.”

     

  • [TRENDING] #OccupyLekkiTollGate: Nigerians launch fresh protests over reopening of Lekki Tollgate

    [TRENDING] #OccupyLekkiTollGate: Nigerians launch fresh protests over reopening of Lekki Tollgate

    Sequel to the decision of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry to reopen the Lekki Tollgate, many Nigerians mostly youths, have taken to social media announcing intentions to stage another protest.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that youth representatives at panel on Saturday had opposed the reopening of the Lekki toll gate arguing that reopening the toll-gate at this time would be hasty and premature.

    The argument over the weekend however did not sway the votes as the panel voted in favour of a return of the tollgate to Lekki Concession Company (LCC).

    Reacting to this decision, many Nigerians took to Twitter calling out the panel for approving the release of the toll gate when investigations into the Lekki shootings are still ongoing.

    According to those threatening to stage another protest come Saturday, February 13, no thought of reopening should be heard at the moment, not when no one has been held accountable for the killing of unarmed protesters, who marched against police brutality on the night of October 20.

    The emerging push for another long is currently being anchored on the hashtag #OccupyLekkiTollGate which has been trending on Twitter.

    See reactions below:

     

    https://twitter.com/oloye__/status/1358768196933857283?s=20