Governor Babajide-Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has ordered the payment of N5 million compensation to Adedotun Clement, an Uber driver that was during the #EndSARS memorial rally in the state.
Sanwo-Olu in a statement on Saturday said he had “directed the Honorable Attorney General to set up a meeting and pay him the compensation awarded by the court.”
This is coming after the Lagos Ministry of Justice had backed the state government’s desire to appeal the judgement.
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A Federal High Court in Lagos had on March 14, 2023 ordered the Lagos State Government to pay the sum of N5 Million as compensation
to the victim, who was severely tortured on October 20, 2021 at the Lekki Toll-Gate.
Clement was carrying a passenger to Lagos Mainland when he encountered a gridlock at the Lekki Toll-Gate during a protest to commemorate the first anniversary of EndSARS. He was tortured and pepper-sprayed by officers of the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Agency and policemen.
The attack on the Uber driver was captured on video and reported by television stations and newspapers, and attracted a nationwide condemnation.
Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, filed a lawsuit against the Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Police Force to seek redress.
Following the judgment, Effiong wrote a letter to Governor Sanwo-Olu on March 16, 2023 demanding compliance with the judgment.
However, the governor refused to act on the demand. The Lagos State Government has now filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Lagos against the judgment.
In a Notice of Appeal filed on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, but served on Friday, March 23, signed by Dr. Babajide Martins, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, the government said there was no evidence that the Uber driver was tortured.
However, Sanwo-Olu has given orders for the sum awarded the victim to be paid him following a review of the case.
Sanwo-Olu said;
“I’m committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens’ rights with empathy and authority.
“I recently became aware of the case involving Mr. Clement Adedotun and the judgement by the Federal High Court, and I understand the impact this legal battle has had on him.
“After reviewing Mr. Clement’s case, I’ve directed the Honorable Attorney General to set up a meeting and pay him the compensation awarded by the Court.
“Although the State Government has appealed the ruling, I’ve interceded in this instance in the interest of the public good, and requested that the State’s Attorney General comply with the court’s ruling.
“As a strong advocate for the rule of law, I commend all parties for seeking justice through the appropriate channels, and I remain committed to upholding the rights of all Lagosians.”
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