The judicial panel established by the Lagos state government to investigate the brutality and high-handedness of the disbanded special anti-robbery squad (SARS) has approved the reopening of the Lekki tollgate.
Five of the nine-member panel voted to return the control of the tollgate to the Lekki Concession Company (LCC), the operators, on Saturday.
Doris Okuwobi, a retired judge heading the panel, said insurers can commence assessment of the damage at the facility, renovate and resume its business.
According to the judge, “no party has shown evidence of any further need to investigate” the tollgate.
“The panel in its ruling had decided that it will not take that ground and will only maintain control until its forensic experts conclude his report. The report is ready as the panel has been satisfied therefore and the assurances from the forensic team that will no longer require any visit to the plaza. The panel has decided that it will not await the termination of the petitioners before it hands over control of Lekki to LCC.
“To say that its wreckage is preserved as evidence beats my imagination. Whatever evidence any interested person decides to have must have been taken before now as the petitioners do not have any review before the panel to restrain the use of the toll plaza.
“Justice, I must say is a double-edged sword both for the petitioners and the LCC. The company was unfortunate to have its place of business vandalized during the protest. The investigation alluded to from certain persons sent to give evidence before the panel has not been seen to have any connection with the real evidence at the scene,” Okuwobi said.
“It will be foolhardy for any reasonable petitioner to say the toll plaza be closed for the lifetime of the assignment of the panel. The hearing of petitions of victims has not been seen to be tied to the closure of the plaza indefinitely. It is unheard of that a crime scene of this nature would be closed
“Upon all said, I thereby give an order for LCC to repossess the toll gate which has been under the control of the panel upon indication given that the forensic analysis of the said toll plaza is to be concluded. The order made for repossession is for evaluation of the plaza by LCC insurers, renovation, and total control,” she said.
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