Author : Lloyd Mahachi
Nigerian lawyer Inibehe Effiong has accused former President Muhammadu Buhari of ordering the infamous Lekki Toll Gate shooting on October 20, 2020. This accusation comes four years after the tragic event that claimed multiple lives during the peaceful #EndSARS protests. According to Amnesty International, at least 12 protesters were killed during the shooting.
The Lekki Toll Gate shooting occurred when Nigerian Armed Forces opened fire on unarmed protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos State. Initially, the Nigerian Army denied involvement but later admitted to deploying soldiers to the toll gate on the orders of the Lagos State governor. This incident sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
Effiong, who represented victims at the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry, asserts that Buhari’s role as commander-in-chief makes him liable for the massacre. He points to Section 218 of the constitution, which states that the president is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. This, Effiong argues, implies Buhari’s direct responsibility for the actions of the military.
Furthermore, Effiong highlights inconsistencies in the Lagos State government’s response. Despite rejecting the judicial panel’s finding of a massacre, the state offered 100 million naira to families of the deceased and injured, implying admission of involvement. This contradiction raises questions about the government’s transparency and accountability.
Effiong questions the deployment of armed forces to the scene, emphasizing the need for accountability. He notes that thugs were transported in government vehicles, yet no arrests have been made. The lawyer expresses confidence that history will hold those responsible accountable, including Buhari and military leaders.
Effiong advocates for continued insistence that the toll gate incident was a massacre, seeking justice and imprisonment for those involved. His accusations and calls for accountability underscore the ongoing struggle for truth and justice in Nigeria, particularly regarding the Lekki Toll Gate shooting.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi
