Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu of Lagos State has ordered the payment of N5 million in compensation to Uber driver Adedotun Clement, who was assaulted on 20 October 2021 during a rally marking the one‑year anniversary of the #EndSARS protest. In a statement on Saturday, the governor said he had “directed the Honorable Attorney General to set up a meeting and pay him the compensation awarded by the court.”
The court’s judgment, delivered on 14 March 2023, required the state government to pay the N5 million to Adedotun, who was said to have been tortured at the Lekki Toll‑Gate during the first #EndSARS anniversary. His counsel, Inibehe Effiong, claimed the Lagos government was rejecting the High Court’s judgment on the grounds of “lack of evidence for the torture.” According to the lawyer, Adedotun was transporting a passenger to Lagos Mainland when he became trapped in a gridlock at the toll‑gate amid the protest and was subsequently tortured and pepper‑sprayed by officers of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency and police.
The Ministry of Justice, through Public Relations Officer Grace Alo, argued that the state government opposed the applicant’s claims on both legal and factual grounds. Alo explained that, as is customary when a judgment is rendered against the state, the counsel handling the matter is entitled to file an appeal and request a stay of execution to protect the state’s legal rights.
Despite the appeal, Governor Sanwo‑Olu affirmed his commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens’ rights. In a verified Twitter post, he said, “Good evening Lagos, as governor, 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 judgment by the Federal High Court, and I understand the impact this legal battle has had on him.” He added that, after reviewing the case, he had directed the Attorney General to ensure the compensation is paid, stating, “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.” The governor concluded by commending all parties for seeking justice through proper channels and reaffirming his dedication to the rights of all Lagosians.
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