Forensic report of Lekki tollgate ‘shootings’ ready Tuesday – Panel

The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Enquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS-related abuses and the Lekki tollgate shootings has said the report of a forensic analysis of the site will be ready by Tuesday February 2, 2021.

The panel Chairman, Justice Doris Okuwobi (retd), stated this while turning down an application by the operators of the tollgate plaza – Lekki Concession Company (LCC) – to repossess the facility.

The judge had earlier turned down an application by the LCC seeking to regain access to the property on January 6.

She said the panel had hired forensic experts to comb the facility.

The experts, paid for by the Lagos State Government, were given 21 days to examine the facility. The 21 days expired on Wednesday.

They were expected to search for evidence of live bullets or shells at the tollgate and adjourning roads.

They were also expected to search for evidence of blood from gunshot wounds.

Justice Okuwobi said the government paid a “huge amount” for their service.

She said, “The desire is that the panel will unearth the truth of what happened.”

At the resumption of proceedings on Friday, LCC’s counsel, Rotimi Seriki, prayed the panel to allow the firm to return to the plaza to assess the damage to it and put the facility in order, in furtherance of the recommencement of operations.

But his application was denied.