Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, has ordered the payment of five million naira in compensation to an Uber driver, Adedotun Clement, who was assaulted on October 20, 2021, during a rally commemorating the one-year anniversary of the state’s #EndSARS protest.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the governor stated that he had “directed the Honorable Attorney General to set up a meeting and pay him the compensation awarded by the court.”
On March 14, 2023, the court ordered the state government to pay N5m in compensation to Adedotun, who was said to have been tortured at the Lekki Toll-Gate during the first #EndSARS anniversary on October 20, 2021.
Inibehe, Adedotun’s counsel
Effiong claimed in a statement on Friday that the Lagos government was rejecting the High Court’s decision due to a “lack of evidence for the torture.”
According to his lawyer, Adedotun was transporting a passenger to the Lagos mainland when he encountered a traffic jam at the Lekki Toll-Gate during a protest commemorating the first anniversary of #EndSARS. “Officers from the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency and policemen tortured and pepper-sprayed him.”
However, in a statement issued on Saturday by its Public Relations Officer, Grace Alo, the justice ministry stated that during the hearing, the state government opposed the Applicant’s claims on legal and factual grounds.
“As is customary when a judgment is delivered against the State Government,” Alo said.
The counsel handling the case is enjoined to file an appeal (a constitutional right) along with an application to stay execution of the judgment in order to protect and reserve the State Government’s legal rights.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu, on the other hand, has stated that he is committed to upholding the rule of law.
In a statement on his verified Twitter page, the governor said,
“Good evening, Lagos. As governor, I am committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of citizens with empathy and authority.”
“I recently became aware of Mr. Clement Adedotun’s case and the Federal High Court’s decision, and I understand the impact this legal battle has had on him.”
“After considering Mr. In Clement’s case, I’ve directed the Honorable Attorney General to schedule a meeting and pay him the court-awarded compensation.”
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