The governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has stated that the state will pay the N5 million ordered by a federal high court to Adedotun Clement, a driver who was assaulted during a #EndSARS rally.
Sanwo-Olu stated in a Saturday tweet that he had instructed Moyosore Onigbanjo, the state’s attorney-general and justice commissioner, to make the payment.
At the #EndSARSMemorial rally at Lekki tollgate in October 2021, cab-hailing driver Clement was assaulted by the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA) and police officials.
The event was organised to commemorate the #EndSARS movement’s anniversary.
On March 14, a Lagos federal high court ordered the state government and NPF to compensate Clement with N5 million.
Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, the presiding judge, concluded that Clement’s right to dignity had been violated by his treatment.
Tuesday, TheCable reported, the Lagos administration filed an appeal against the verdict.
Sanwo-Olu stated that he only recently became aware of the dispute between the state government and Clement.
Although the state government had launched an appeal against the ruling, the governor of Lagos stated that he had intervened in the public interest.
The governor stated, “I recently became aware of the situation involving Clement Adedotun and the federal high court’s ruling, and I understand the impact this legal battle has had on him.”
After evaluating Clement’s case, I’ve instructed the solicitor general to schedule a meeting and pay him the court-ordered compensation.
“While the state government has appealed the judgement, I have intervened on behalf of the public interest and demanded that the state’s solicitor general comply with the court’s decision.
“As a staunch supporter of the rule of law, I applaud all parties for seeking justice through the proper channels, and I remain committed to protecting the rights of all Lagosians.”
