Only two plaintiffs were seen testifying after the panel appeared two hours late on Tuesday. Both cases relate to historical SARS brutality and not to recent murders.
The first petitioner, Okoye Agu, said that in 2012, he had spent 47 days in SARS detention where he was tortured by the authorities and had two teeth cut. He said his wife and mother who came to try to help him were also beaten.
The leader also said that his property and car had been sold by SARS officials, and that although the court had awarded him N10mm ($ 26,000) in 2016, he had not received compensation.
The second petitioner called for a few weeks before adjourning his case until next week so that the Commissioner of Police could be present.
Condemnation of Lakey Tall Gate violence
Amnesty International told CNN that at least 12 protesters were shot dead by troops at the Lekki Toll Gate and other sites last Tuesday, after which the bodies were taken away. The Nigerian military claimed on Twitter that the reports were “fake news.”
The human rights group said at least 56 people had been killed across the country since the protests began, with about 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 reform.
In addition to Tuesday’s session, the tribunal will also hold hearings on Friday and Saturday this week and people are invited to file claims in court.
This is the only step the government has taken to address the Lucky Toll Gate violence and is seen as a litmus test for the independence of the judiciary. There are two young opponents on the panel who will represent the voices of the youth.
The anti-stork march has recently taken the lead in a campaign for police reform and an end to bad governance in the oil-rich country.
“The people who died are the real heroes,” said DJ Switch, who streamed live video on Instagram at Lekki Toll Gate shortly after the shooting began. “The giants are asleep. The country’s guards, the country’s leaders, they are tipping; they don’t want to wake the giant, the giants are the people.
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