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Only two complainants gave testimony on Tuesday after the panel appeared more than two hours late. Both cases were related to the historical brutality of SARS and not recent killings.
The first petitioner, Okoye Agu, said that in 2012 he spent 47 days in SARS detention, where officials tortured him and extracted two teeth. He said that his wife and mother, who came to try to help him, were also beaten.
Agu also said that his property and car were sold by SARS officials, and although a court awarded him N10m ($ 26,000) in 2016, he has not received any compensation.
The second petitioner spoke briefly before his case was postponed until next week so that the police commissioner could be present.
Condemnation of the violence of Lekki Toll Gate
Amnesty International told CNN that at least 12 protesters were shot dead at the Lekki toll gate and elsewhere last Tuesday by army soldiers, who later removed the bodies. The Nigerian military claimed on Twitter that these reports were “fake news.”
The human rights group said at least 56 people have died across the country since the protests began, with some 38 killed last Tuesday alone.
Despite condemnation of the killings by the United States, the United Nations and others, Sanwo-Olu insisted that there was no international pressure on the government or the president to make reforms.
In addition to Tuesday’s session, the court will also hold hearings on Friday and Saturday this week and the public has been invited to file claims with the court.
It is the only action the government has taken to address the violence at Lekki Toll Gate and is seen as a litmus test for the independence of the judiciary. There are two young protesters on the panel who will represent the voice of the youth.
The marches against SARS have recently morphed into protests in favor of police reform and an end to bad governance in the oil-rich country.
“The ones who died are the true heroes,” said DJ Switch, who streamed a video live on Instagram at Lekki Toll Gate when the shooting began. “The giant is asleep. The custodians of the country, the leaders of the country, walk on tiptoe, they do not want to wake up the giant, the giants are the people.
