Lagos Endsars: SERAP, 116 others sue Buhari

SERAP and 116 Nigerians have sued President Muhammadu Buhari over the #EndSARS panel report of shooting of protesters at the Lekki toll-gate and police brutality cases.

The rights group wants the Federal High Court, Abuja, to “direct and compel” President Buhari to take prompt steps to ensure the arrest of and police and soldiers officers indicted by the Lagos #EndSARS panel report.

The group relies on the panel report allegedly riddled with inconsistencies and alread dscredited even by one of the panelist

This was contained in a statement by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, on Sunday.

In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1482/2021 filed on Friday, SERAP is also asking the court to direct President Buhari to ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims, including suitable compensation.

“It’s in the interest of justice to grant this application, as it would improve respect for Nigerians’ rights, the rule of law, and public confidence in government institutions, as well as reduce the growing culture of impunity of perpetrators.

“The safety of protesters in Nigeria remains as precarious as ever, and impunity for crimes against them is growing. Impunity emboldens perpetrators. A failure to bring to justice those indicted for the shooting of peaceful protesters is, in itself, a violation of the rights to life and human dignity.”

SERAP also said, “the failure to promptly arrest, and bring to justice those suspected to be responsible for the shooting of peaceful protesters, and to ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims and their families amounts to a travesty of justice, as justice delayed is justice denied.”

SERAP joined as respondent Abubakar Malami, SAN, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation.

The date for the hearing of the suit is yet to be fixed.