#EndSARS protesters in Osun State have rejected the judicial panel of enquiry constituted by the State Government, saying the panel consists of people with questionable characters.
The protesters who expressed their displeasure over the panel of enquiry demanded an immediate review of the panel, saying “We reject an imposed Judicial Panel of Inquiry constituted by Mr Governor, Gboyega Oyetola whose convoy killed protesters and left many severely injured.”
Addressing journalists at the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel on Monday, the spokesperson, Olawale Bakare, maintained that the government is peddling purported rumours to bully the protesters.
He said, “We tried to communicate our demands to them, but we were met with disgraceful and embarrassing words from a supposed Commissioner of Youths and Sports.
“Also, this same Yemi Lawal masterminded the kangaroo Judicial Panel of Inquiry where he recruited individuals who lack the moral and legal justification to the certificate of existence has been withdrawn far back by Cooperate Affairs Commission, Nigeria, should be immediately ejected as the body itself has no legal base since their represent the peaceful youths of Osun some of these individuals were never seen at the barricade or even sympathized with End SARS protesters from start.”
Bakare maintained that the commissioner must be sacked for his anti-Omoluabi policies and working against Osun Citizens, saying, “Yemi Lawal is a notorious person in Osun and must be held accountable for any violence that may spring up in any action.”
He called for the immediate and unconditional review of this Judicial Panel of Inquiry, noting that no kangaroo representation of the protesters is allowed.
Stating that the State Government has intentionally kept mute on making public as to the power of the panel, he disclosed that every sitting of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry which must comprise of persons of integrity and moral excellence must be aired and televised live for all the people of Osun and Nigeria at large to follow.
Speaking further, he decried the heavy military presence and attack on peaceful protesters which he described as anti-democratic tendencies in Osun State, under “the callous and incompetent supervision of Alh. Gboyega Oyetola to repress, threaten and attack peaceful protesters.”
“It is quite unfortunate that the individuals who are supposed to be the custodian of democracy and preserve law and order are rather found culpable of unleashing terror on peaceful protesters plus setting up a kangaroo leadership to mischievously misrepresent the movement.
“Adding salts to injury, the Government of Alh Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola has contracted the military and other forces in the State to gag us from expressing our grievances.
“It is not new to the people of Osun where the government will call on the military to dehumanize
and violate the rights of the citizens as seen in the Ilesha saga during the curfew in the viral video.
“We will remain peaceful and always remain as such but the government must understand that this state is better to run based on law and not hooliganism or gangsterism as the right of the people to protest is constitutionally guaranteed.”
Olawale also petitioned for the immediate arrest of Asiri Eniba, a reversal of fuel hike, a reversal of hike in electricity tariff; immediate resignation of IGP, Muhammad Adamu, and the immediate resignation of Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai.
He said, “We still maintain that Asiri Eniba must be brought to book because’ Eniba is not above the law and must be tried by the law. He was sighted at the centre front of the hoodlums shouting that they should attack us. In that light, we demand immediate arrest of this said the suspect and his cohorts and justice be served.
Bakare sympathised with Osun residents for their loss and hardship during the state-imposed curfew.
