By Kamil Opeyemi
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has complied with Federal High Court ruling which ordered the payment of N5 million compensation to an Uber driver, Adedotun Clement, who was assaulted on October 20, 2021, during a rally to mark the one-year anniversary of the #EndSARS protest in the state.
Announcing the compliance in a statement on Saturday, the governor said he had directed the Attorney General of the state, Onigbanjo to set up a meeting and pay him the compensation awarded by the court.
On March 14, 2023, the court ordered the state government to pay the sum of N5 million as compensation to Adedotun who was said to have been tortured on October 20, 2021 at the Lekki Toll-Gate during the first #EndSARS anniversary.
Adedotun’s counsel, Inibehe Effiong, had in a statement on Friday, claimed the Lagos government was rejecting the judgment of the High Court over “lack of evidence for the torture.”
Adedotun, according to his lawyer, 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 Neighbourhood Safety Agency and policemen.”
Arguing on Saturday, the justice ministry in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Grace Alo, said during the hearing of the matter, the state government opposed the claims of the Applicant on grounds of law and facts.
Alo said, “As is customary when a judgment is delivered against the State Government, the counsel handling the matter is enjoined to file an appeal (a right provided by the Constitution) along with an application to stay execution of the judgment in order to protect and reserve the rights available to the State Government under the law.”
However, Governor Sanwo-Olu, in his position, said he was committed to upholding the rule of law.
The governor in a statement via his social media handles wrote: “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 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.”
Sanwo-Olu added that, although the state government has appealed the ruling, he noted that it had become neccesary to comply with the court ruling as a strong advocate of the rule of law
“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,” he added