Several reactions have trailed the testimony of Reddington Hospital on the Lekki shooting of October 20, 2020, which halted the two weeks long demonstration against Police brutality.
On Saturday, during cross-examination with the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality, Dr. Babajide Lawson, a physician with Reddington Hospital confirmed to the panel that the victims of the shooting were treated in the hospital facility.
His testimony countered that of the military who claimed that no live rounds were fired by the Nigerian army on #EndSARS protesters at Lekki tollgate.
According to him, there was a mass gathering at the facility as a result of the number of shot or injured patients brought to the hospital from the toll gate.
Following Lawson’s testimony, Nigerians took to social media to express their view on the situation.
Many accused the government of trying to cover up despite the existence of substantial proof to back up the incident.
One Twitter user, @_SirWilliam_ said” At this point, even the Nigerian Army cannot deny the Lekki Massacre happened. On the day of the Massacre, we all watched videos from Reddington Hospital. We also saw the video of the guy with his entire guts open. So, who gave the order?”
Another Twitter user, @@ife_luv12 said “I did my antenatal in Reddington hospital Lekki. I was supposed to have a Dr appointment on the 21st of October, the same day I went into labor but I was referred to another hospital as Reddington hospital was crowded with patients with gunshot wounds among others. There was no space whatsoever. The compound Even the reception was filled up with people in pains. I was in labor and thought I was going to pass out seeing those people. Had my baby at another hospital in Lekki on the 22nd…”
Another Twitter user also said, “Reddington Hospital has confirmed that victims with gunshot wounds from the #EndSARS Lekki Tollgate shootings on 20 10 2020 were treated that night and more persons the following days. There is nothing hidden in the eyes of the lord. Nemesis will catch up with everyone involved.”
A certain Toyyib Adewale with the Twitter handle @taadelodun opined that “the people that are surprised by the statement Reddington Hospital issued do not understand Nigeria. So many things are going on that we don’t even know anything about. So many forces the average Nigerian is battling on daily basis, that is not even his/her fault.”
Army authorities disband the legal team
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has disbanded the legal team which represented the Nigeria Army at the judicial panel.
The Army pulled out its team just as more evidence resurfaces confirming that Nigerian soldiers opened fire on peaceful protesters last October.
Indication of the development was made when Samuel Agweh, a member of the team was asked by Olumide Fusika, counsel to victims of the Lekki incident, to announce his appearance since he was representing the Nigerian Army.
Mr. Agweh stated that he was only appearing for Akinlolu Kehinde, the counsel who represented the Nigerian Army as the legal team had been disbanded by the military authority.
“My Lord, that team had been disbanded, our job finished on the 21st or 25th of November, we do not have a further mandate to represent the Nigerian Army in any subsequent proceedings.”
“it is not a matter of disrespect that the team was no longer appearing before the panel but the situation is that the team no longer exists”.
“When these cases were called, I did not even know that the army is in the matter. Because as at that time, these cases were not before this Tribunal, we had finished our business before these cases came up. So, any subsequent summons issued by this panel was not brought to us to come and represent the Nigerian Army.
“As a matter of respect to the panel and its members, that is why I did not announce my appearance, because I did not have any mandate to represent the Nigerian Army in any matter after the 21st of November,” Mr. Agweh said.
We cannot force the army to state its case — Panel
In response, the panel declared that nothing can be done if the army refuses to appear before it whilst investigation on the matter is ongoing.
Dorris Okuwobi, a retired judge heading the panel said this to the council.
Debunking the report that Akinlolu Kehinde, the legal counsel who represented the army in previous proceedings refused to “show up”, she noted that the panel cannot compel the army to come to state its case in the incident.
“We cannot force them to come. We will take on the petitions as if they are not present, I made that very clear in the ruling. We have tried our best, served the legal summons, served the Chief of Army Staff, beyond that, there is no more the panel can do.
“The reports by the press have not presented the rulings of the panel, we never said Mr. Kehinde refused to come. The reports were not accurate, so do let him know that we did not in any way make such a report,” she said.
- Breaking: Ohanaeze President General, George Obiozor, confirmed dead - December 28, 2022
- US to support NDLEA on improved intelligence gathering capacity - December 27, 2022
- Why diversified HIV/AIDS prevention tools matter for women - December 26, 2022
