Femi Falana Says The White Paper On The Lagos #EndSARS Panel Report Is Illegal
Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has stated that the White Paper produced by the Lagos state government in response to the #EndSARS panel report is unconstitutional.
Touchaheart Nigeria reports that Falana claimed that the judicial panel’s report is as good as a ruling from the Lagos state high court, and that it can only be challenged in a competent court. He backed up his argument by referencing section 15 (2) of the Lagos State Tribunals of Inquiry Law.
The top lawyer also claimed that the White Paper report included inconsistencies.
“It was my view that since the committee is unknown to law, the members were not competent to edit, modify, alter, edit or reject the report of the commission.
“More so, that the members of White Paper committee did not have the opportunity of taking evidence from the witnesses who had testified before the commission.
“I argued further than that the governor cannot reject the report, summary of evidence and findings of the Okuwobi Judicial Commission in any material particular.
“I am not unaware that it is the practice of governments to issue a white paper on the report of a commission of inquiry. But since there is no provision for a White Paper under the law the Lagos state government is bound by the findings and recommendations of the Panel.
“Therefore, any institution and individual indicted by the commission may wish to approach the High Court to challenge any aspect of the report. Since the White Paper committee is illegal its findings are of no moment.”
