Former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu and Chairman of Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Betty Apiafi, have called for the prosecution of the soldiers that shot the EndSARS protesters in Lekki on Tuesday night.
The senators, who addressed journalists at the National Assembly on Wednesday, strongly condemned the killings of some EndSARS protesters by some soldiers at the Lekki area of Lagos, on Tuesday evening.
The protesters were against police brutality and bad governance at the Lekki toll gate when the military men opened fire on them.
Ekweremadu called for justice for everyone, who had fallen victim of government’s actions or inactions in the face of the nationwide protests.
He said the rights to peaceful assembly remained guaranteed by the Constitution and that any unilateral imposition of curfew was unconstitutional.
He, however, stressed the need to arrest and prosecute criminals, who had taken advantage of the protests to cause loss of lives and properties.
The lawmaker said, “The events at the #EndSARS protest at the Lekki Tollgate and use of maximum force on unarmed protesters last (Tuesday) night is another low for our nation and her democracy and should be condemned by men and women of conscience across all political divides.
“Therefore, my heart goes out to the wounded and the families of the dead.
“Everyone involved in this irrational and horrendous act must be held accountable in order to preserve the sanctity of human lives, our democracy, and what is left of our dignity in the comity of civilised nations.
” Government in dealing with the present situation, has taken even more dangerous steps by deploying soldiers as well as by imposing restrictions on the rights of Nigerians without following the provisions of Sections 45 and 305 of the 1999 Constitution.
“Doing so exposes both those who are deploying the soldiers and those engaging in human rights abuses under such extra-constitutional restrictions to trial by the International Criminal Court in future.”
Apiafi advocated a probe into the massacre in order to bring the errant soldiers and their commanding officer to justice.
She wondered why the government should deploy soldiers to open fire on defenceless, innocent Nigerian youths who were on peaceful protests.
She said, “How can a democratically elected government use the military to kill Nigerian Citizens, the same people who elected us into positions, the same people we swore to protect as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution?”
She said Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution “provides for the fundamental human rights of its citizens which talks about the fundamental objectives of Government”
The Senator said, “It clearly states that it shall be the duty and responsibility of all organs of government and of all authorities and persons exercising legislative, executive or judicial powers to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of the chapters of this constitution.
“Section 14 further provides that the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice. ”
Apiafi stated that sovereignty belongs to the people from whom government through this constitution derives all its power and authority.
She insisted that security and welfare of the people should be the primary purpose of government.
She said, “From the constitutional provisions above, the gunning down and massacre of young, unarmed and defenseless peaceful #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate, Lagos, on Tuesday 20th October 2020, by the military is unconstitutional.
“As the Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs, and a mother, I join all mothers to say that we find the maiming and massacre of defenseless Nigerian Youths as an inhumane act on the part of the government under a supposed democratic dispensation.
“These youths were only demanding that government lives up to its responsibilities of protecting their lives from Police brutality, and for a better future for the nation.
“Sadly, the government which negotiated with terrorists dispatched, soldiers and massacred defenseless youths, even while holding the Nigerian flag and singing the National Anthem.
“The most profound surprise of all is the stoic silence of our President, Muhammadu Buhari.
“My heart bleeds, and I condemn this callous act in all ramifications. And I implore the President, Muhammadu Buhari to stop this heinous crime, investigate and ensure that the military officers responsible for the Lekki massacre are brought to book.
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