EndSars: Malami Hints At Possible ‘Criminal Investigation’ Of Lekki Toll Gate Incident

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, has said that both the Lagos Judicial Panel report and the White Paper of the state government is not the end of the Lekki Toll Gate incident.

The AGF who spoke on Channels Television program, Politics Today, on Wednesday, said the federal government may still subject the reports to further criminal investigation before a final point of view can be reached especially with regards to the killings and professional conduct of security operatives.

“On the White paper, part of the panel report was accepted, part was rejected by the Lagos state government.

“There are still additional layers that may follow before you can jump to a particular conclusion, establishing a point, criminal or otherwise.

“It is premature to jump to conclusions that live ammunition, or weapons were used.

“After inquiry has taken place, the possibility of criminal investigation cannot be outruled, “ he said.

Malami also contended that the Lagos panel found itself in the midst of the controversy and drama associated with the EndSARs protest.

“The EndSARS in its own right has indeed generated controversy but one thing I think that is important for the purpose of consideration is the fact that along the line, there were alot of hate speeches, fake news associated with it, inclusive, perhaps about drama scenes applicable to ENDSARS.

“There is need for comprehensive investigation and it is on account of that that Lagos state government among others, put in place an inquiry which have eventually resulted in what we heard at the report of the commission.

“But I think one thing to be considered is that it constitute a controversial issue that has generated a lot of dispute and you cannot outrule whatever possibility inclusive of the possibility of fake news, hate speeches and imposition of drama scenes for the purpose of establishing a point.

“The fact remains that it had happened in the circumstances where fake news and hate speeches were factored and colored into the whole EndSARS arrangement,” the AGF added.

Regarding the reports of killings at the Lekki Toll Gate, the AGF said he would not want to be preemptive because the probe on the matter has not be concluded.

Malami also said that the security measures imposed by the federal government is usually determined by the facts on ground.

He added that the role of security agents is to provide security.