Nigerians on the microblog, Twitter, have questioned the oath of secrecy administered on members of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The oath of secrecy administered on members read in part, “I solemnly swear/affirm that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal any matter to any person which shall be brought under my consideration or shall come to my knowledge in the discharge of my official duties, except as may be required for the discharge of my official duties or as may be officially permitted by the governor. So, help me God/Allah.”
The panel is to investigate the shooting of unarmed protesters at the Lekki toll plaza on October 20, 2020, and it is expected to begin sitting on October 27, 2020.
Other responsibility of the panel included the investigation of the alleged extrajudicial killings perpetrated by the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria police.
One of the popular social media influencers, Dr. Harvey Olufunmilayo, said the oath of secrecy is a bad omen.
He wrote, “If Lagos asked members of the panel to sign an oath of secrecy, just know there is no depth these people will not sink into to cover the truth. If members of the Lagos judicial panel of inquiry are truly made to sign an oath of secrecy, now is the time to end that scam.
“These panels are a public inquiry into a matter of public interest about public crimes and atrocities committed by the police. Televise all panel sessions.”
Another influencer, Dr. Dipo Awojide, advised that the government should try to build trust among the youth, adding that the oath of secrecy is contrary to building trust.
He tweeted, “There is absolutely no need for folks joining the panel in Lagos State to swear an oath of secrecy. It just makes everything look suspect from the get-go. Trust level is currently at the lowest level. Lagos State Government should do everything to build trust.”
On his part, Adetutu Balogun questioned the rationale behind the oath of secrecy, saying, “Why are independent judicial panel members swearing an oath of secrecy to Babajide Sanwo-Olu for a public hearing?”
Festus Ogun, who is a lawyer, said on his Twitter that the reference to the governor in the oath was also worrisome.
Adding that the oath of secrecy was defective and at variance with Section 38(4) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
The lawyer maintained that, “Again, this oath of secrecy is legally defective. First, the idea of secrecy is occult. Section 38(4) of the 1999 Constitution frowns at ‘secret societies.’
“Oath of confidentiality would be better. Second, oaths are to be sworn before a commissioner of oaths, not the governor.”
