Nigerians React as Sanwo-Olu Rejects N5M Compensation for Uber Driver Tortured During EndSARS Memorial, Says “He’s Back to Factory Setting”

Saturday, 25 March 2023, 6:27 am

Nigerians have been reacting to the recent decision made by Governor Jide Sanwoolu to reject demands for compensating an Uber driver who was tortured during the EndSARS memorial. This decision comes barely a week after his re-election as governor.

On March 14, 2023, a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the Lagos State Government to pay N5 Million as compensation to Adedotun Clement, the Uber driver who was severely tortured on October 20, 2021, at the Lekki Toll-Gate during the first EndSARS anniversary. Clement was carrying a passenger to Lagos Mainland when he encountered a gridlock at the Lekki Toll-Gate during a protest to commemorate the first anniversary of EndSARS. He was subsequently tortured and pepper-sprayed by officers of the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Agency and policemen.

The attack on the Uber driver was widely reported by television stations and newspapers, and it attracted a nationwide condemnation. Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, filed a lawsuit against the Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Police Force to seek redress.

Following the court’s judgment, Effiong wrote a letter to Governor Sanwo-Olu on March 16, 2023, demanding compliance with the judgment. However, the governor refused to act on the demand, and the Lagos State Government filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Lagos against the judgment on March 21, 2023.

In a Notice of Appeal filed on March 21, 2023, but served on March 23, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins, signed the document, stating that there was no evidence that the Uber driver was tortured. Nigerians have been expressing diverse opinions on this matter, with many criticizing the government’s decision and calling for justice for the Uber driver

Reacting to the latest development, Vanessaoflagos wrote “Of course, the election is over. He is back to being himself.”

Queen_gilbert wrote: He has won elections already. He would see no reasons to pacify the hearts of the youths.

Kabs_wignature wrote: He is back to factory settings.