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Lagos ENDSARS Panel: Lekki Tollgate Incident Was A Massacre (List Of Victims)

Published

4 years ago

November 16, 2021

Editor

The Lagos Judicial Panel on #EndSARS, has confirmed there was indeed a massacre of protesters at Lekki Toll Gate on 20 October 2020, contrary to official narrative debunking it.

The panel indicted soldiers and implicated Nigeria’s security agents in the killing and forced disappearances of harmless and unarmed youths protesting at Lekki Tollgate on October 20, 2020.

According to the finding of the panel, headed by Justice Okuwobi, the massacre was carried out by both the military and the police.

The finding by the panel knocked the bottom out of the position of Information Minister Lai Mohammed, who claimed there was no massacre at the Toll Gate.

First of all, the panel questioned the deployment of soldiers to the Lekki Toll Gate as the protest there was peaceful, unlike the pockets of violence in the other parts of the city.

“The deployment of the army to Lekki Toll Gate on 20/10/2020, in the absence of any reported violence was totally unwarranted”, the panel found.

Unlike official narrative of one or two persons dying at the tollgate, the panel confirmed 11 people dead and another four missing, but presumed dead, making a total of 15.

It listed the names of the dead casualties and the many injured. Lekki Toll Gate casualties Lekki Toll Gate casualties 2

The panel reported that the response to its Summons was hugely positive, as over 80% of those summoned honored the invitations, and gave evidence before the Panel, which assisted it greatly in unravelling the events of the 20th October 2020.

The protesters on their own attended the Panel’s proceedings and presented evidence of what happened at the Lekki Toll Gate on the 20th of October, 2020.

On the part of the ENDSARS Protesters the Panel specifically considered the evidence of persons, who alleged that they were victims with injuries or death of their loved ones, which occurred during the Lekki Toll Gate Incident and the testimonies of those who were present and traumatized.

Some gave accounts of what happened even though they had no physical injuries.

The evidence considered in this regard usually represented similar versions of the Lekki Toll Gate Incident as corroborated by other protesters, who were treated as Petitioners with Petitions arising from the Toll Gate Incident. Virtually all witnesses were cross examined by counsel to parties with opposing versions of Lekki Toll Gate Incident.

Panel reached its findings and prepared its reports despite the evidence of the Nigerian Army, that was limited, as most of the officers who were summoned and who filed affidavits never appeared before the Panel.

At the conclusion of evidence of all relevant parties, key issues which called for determination and upon which the findings of the Panel were based are summarized as follows:

• Whether the Nigerian Army used live bullets on unarmed and defenseless protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate on 20th October 2020?

• Whether the live bullets resulted in injuries or casualties on the part of the protesters?

• Whether the Police was at the Toll Gate on the night of the 20th of October 2020 and the morning of the 21st of October 2020 and whether they shot at unarmed and defenseless protesters?

• Whether the LCC played any role in the events of the night of the 20th of October 2020?

• Whether the Lagos State played any role in the Lekki Toll Gate Incident of the 20th of October 2020.

The Panel thus made the following key findings:

1. That the Nigerian Army was invited for intervention in the State and was deployed to Lekki Toll Gate on the 20th of October 2020. At the Lekki Toll Gate, officers of the Nigerian Army shot, injured and killed unarmed helpless and defenseless protesters, without provocation or justification, while they were waving the Nigerian Flag and singing the National Anthem and the manner of assault and killing could in context be described as a massacre. The Panel also found that the conduct of the Nigerian Army was exacerbated by its refusal to allow ambulances render medical assistance to victims who required such assistance. The Army was also found not to have adhered to its own Rules of Engagement.

2. The Panel found that the Nigerian Police Force deployed its officers to the Lekki Toll Gate on the night of the 20th October, 2020 and between that night and the morning of the 21st of October, 2020, its officer shot at, assaulted and battered unarmed protesters, which led to injuries and deaths. The police officers also tried to cover up their actions by picking up bullets.

3. The panel found that LCC hampered the panel’s investigation by refusing to turn over some useful and vital information/evidence as requested by the Panel and the Forensic Expert engaged by the panel, even where such information and evidence was by the company’s admission, available. It manipulated the incomplete CCTV Video footage of the Lekki Toll Gate on the night of the 20th of October 2020, which it tendered before the Panel.

4. The Panel found that there was an invitation of the Nigerian Army to Lagos State made by the Lagos State Government through the Governor before the hierarchy of the Nigerian Army deployed its soldiers to the Lekki Toll Gate on the night of the 20th of October.

5. The Panel found that there was an attempt to cover up the Incident of the 20th of October by the cleaning of the Lekki Toll Gate and the failure to preserve the scene ahead of potential investigations.

Upon the above key findings amongst others, the Panel made a total of 32

Recommendations, which included but not limited to:

• Holistic Police Reforms covering welfare, training and proper equipping of Policemen and their working environment;

• Sanctioning of the officers of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Police Force respectively who participated in shooting, injuring and killing of unarmed protestors at the Lekki Toll Gate on the 20 and 21st of October 2020;

• Development of more robust engagement between the Youth and the Government;

• Setting up of a Standing Committee/Tribunal to deal with cases of Violation of Human Rights by security agencies and a trust fund to settle compensation awarded by such committee/tribunal;

• A public apology to ENDSARS protesters who were killed, injured and traumatized bythe Incident of the 20th of October 2020;

• The memorialization of the Lekki Toll Gate and the 20th of October going forward

At the presentation of the report on Monday, Governor Sanwo-Olu promised

1. To set up a Four-Man Committee led by the Honourable Attorney-General to prepare a White Paper for the purpose of implementing the findings and recommendations expressed in the report and to give it legal backing; and

2. To send the report to the National Economic Council for implementation.

Read the report here: JPI REPORT FOR LEKKI INCIDENT

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EXPLOSIVE: How Titan Trust Bank allegedly used Union Bank’s assets to secure $300m takeover deal

Published

2 hours ago

April 23, 2026

Editor

What was sold to Nigerians in May 2022 as a clean and powerful takeover is now looking like something far more troubling.

When Titan Trust Bank announced it had acquired Union Bank of Nigeria, a 100+ year-old institution, the story was simple: a young bank buying a legacy giant. But fresh documents are now pointing to a shocking twist that raises serious questions about how the deal was actually done.

According to findings, Titan Trust Bank allegedly secured a $300 million loan from African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to fund the acquisition of Union Bank of Nigeria. On paper, Titan Trust Bank was the borrower. But in reality, the collateral reportedly included shares, treasury bills, and assets belonging to Union Bank itself.

Let that sink in: the bank being acquired was allegedly used to secure the loan that bought it. Titan Trust Bank—linked to Rahul Savara and Cornelius Vink— is believed to have engineered a scheme so bold it’s almost unbelievable. The plan? Have Union Bank allegedly repay the very illegal loan used to purchase it—using depositors’ funds! If allowed to succeed, the outcome is stark: TitanTrust Bank’s shareholders would end up owning one of Nigeria’s oldest banks for free!

Even more alarming is the alleged complicity of Godwin Emefiele, then Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who is said to have turned a wilful blind eye to a deal that flew in the face of the CBN’s strict rules against using borrowed funds to acquire Nigerian banks.

It is unbelievable that Godwin Emefiele would allow an inconsequential bank like Titan Trust Bank to plunge a legacy and systemically important bank like Union Bank into a huge and needless debt – just to satisfy the greed of the owners of Titan Trust Bank.

The Afreximbank loan is reportedly structured in a manner that will force Union Bank to keep using its depositors’ funds to repay the unlawful loan.

By the third quarter of 2025, the situation had reportedly worsened. Exchange rate shocks and rising interest costs pushed the total exposure to over ₦500 billion. What started as a $300 million facility ballooned into a massive financial burden.

It gets deeper. An audit later allegedly described the acquisition/loan arrangement as “unethical financial engineering.” The audit allegedly pointed to possible misuse of foreign loans, questionable financial reporting and improper withdrawals from customer funds.

The fallout has already begun. Following leadership changes at the CBN, the board and management of Union Bank were removed in January 2024. That decision is now being contested in court, adding another layer of controversy to an already explosive situation.

Behind the scenes, ownership of Titan Trust Bank also raises eyebrows. The bank, incorporated in 2018, is largely owned by Dubai-based firms linked to powerful business interests, including individuals such as Rahul Savara and Cornelius Vink.

This is no longer just a banking story. It is a test of transparency, regulation and accountability.   If these allegations hold true, then one question refuses to go away: Who really paid for the takeover of Union Bank and at what cost to depositors?

News

Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

Published

1 day ago

April 22, 2026

Editor

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

News

Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

Published

1 day ago

April 22, 2026

Editor

The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded