Court judgment: LASG pays N5m compensation to Uber driver tortured by policemen, other para-military officials

Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has immediately directed the State Attorney General to set up a committee and pay a sum of N5 million compensation awarded by a Federal High Court to Adedotun Clement, an Uber driver, who was tortured during the EndSARS memorial event in 2021.

In a statement on Saturday via his verified Twitter handle, Sanwo-Olu said: “Good evening Lagos, as Governor, I’m committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens’ rights with empathy and authority.

” I recently became aware of the case involving Mr. Clement Adedotun and the judgment by the Federal High Court, and I understand the impact this legal battle has had on him.

“After reviewing Mr. Clement’s case, I’ve directed the Honorable Attorney General to set up a meeting and pay him the compensation awarded by the Court.

“Although the State Government has appealed the ruling, I’ve interceded in this instance in the interest of the public good, and requested that the State’s Attorney General comply with the court’s ruling.

“As a strong advocate for the rule of law, I commend all parties for seeking justice through the appropriate channels, and I remain committed to upholding the rights of all Lagosians.”

Persecondnews recalls that a Federal High Court in Lagos had on March 13, 2023 Sanwo-Olu administration to pay N5 million as compensation to Adedotun Clement, an Uber driver who was allegedly tortured on October 20, 2021 at the Lekki Toll-Gate during the first EndSARS anniversary.

The attack on the Uber driver was widely reported following which the civil society organisations and rights activists condenmed the attack by security agencies including the Lagos State security outfit.

Adedotun was carrying a passenger to Lagos Mainland when he ran into a standstill at the Lekki Toll-Gate during the protest to commemorate the first anniversary of EndSARS mother of all-youths sit-in demonstration.

He was grabbed and pepper-sprayed by officers of the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Agency and policemen.

A human rights lawyer, Mr Inibehe Effiong, had filed a suit against the Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Police, seeking a redress on behalf of the victim.

On March 13, the court awarded the N5 million damages against the state government.

Aftermath of the judgment, Effiong wrote a letter to Sanwo-Olu on March 16, 2023 demanding compliance with the judgment.