Connect with us

Headline

Lekki Shooting: Integrity Of Scene Had Been Compromised Before Forensic Analysis, Says Expert

Published

on

The forensic team that presented its report to the Lagos State Judicial Panel on Friday said the integrity of the scene of the Lekki Toll Gate shooting had been compromised long before forensic investigations.

Managing Director of Sentinel Forensics Limited, Mr Joseph Funsho-Ako, explained that the compromise was because the team visited the toll gate, 87 days after the October 20, 2020 incident.

He added that the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) had even carried out a clean-up of the area before the visit by the forensic team.

Funsho-Ako spoke about the incident in a testimony when he appeared on Saturday before the Lagos Judicial Panel on restitution for victims of SARS-related abuses and other matters.

He later answered questions under cross-examination from the counsel to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bernard Onigah.
A screengrab taken on September 11, 2021, shows part of the forensic report on the Lekki tollgate shooting presented to the Lagos Judicial Panel.

In the process, he explained that based on the information that the area had been cleaned up earlier, his firm called LAWMA, requesting information that could help with its forensic investigations, but they did not get any response.

On the ballistic evidence, he affirmed that the live ammunition presented by the Nigerian Army was of the same calibre as the cartridge casing submitted by the panel.

But the witness stressed the need for further analysis, to determine whether the expended live ammunition casings were fired by the army.

As at the time of this report, the forensic expert was being cross-examined by different lawyers at the panel.
Mr Joseph Funsho-Ako gives his testimony during the sitting of the Lagos Judicial Panel on September 11, 2021.


Saturday’s session is the 123rd sitting of the panel following the hearing of the petitions of various victims of police abuse, during which some were awarded varying sums as compensation.

The focus at the latest proceeding was the long-awaited forensic report for the Lekki Tollgate Shooting which sparked widespread condemnation within and outside the country.

Sentinel Forensics Limited was engaged by the Lagos State government on December 29, 2020, to conduct a forensic review of the unfortunate incident that occurred about two months earlier.

The firm’s mandate required it to conduct a crime scene investigation at the toll plaza, submit a detailed report on the investigation, and examine the CCTV footage of the Lekki Concession Company (LCC), among other things.

It was also asked to give a digital forensic expert opinion on the recording of incidents on the day of the shooting, provide an expert opinion on any evidence recovered during the scene visit by panel members, as well as submit a detailed comprehensive forensic report on the subject.

Loading

Headline

No Adjustment In Pump Prices Of Petrol, Diesel, NNPCL, Clears Air

Published

on

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has described rumours of petrol price adjustment as false.

Dispelling the rumours in a statement on Wednesday, the Chief Communications Officer, NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye, urged Nigerians to disregard them entirely.

He reaffirmed the NNPCL commitment to sustaining the current sufficiency in petroleum products supply across all its retail stations in the country.

The statements reads: “The NNPC Limited wishes to clarify rumours suggesting a price adjustment for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel) at its retail stations nationwide.

“The company asserts that these reports are false and urges Nigerians to disregard them entirely.

“NNPC Ltd. reaffirms its commitment to sustaining the current sufficiency in petroleum products supply across all its retail stations in the country.

Loading

Continue Reading

Headline

Nigerians Deserve To Know How Abducted Kaduna Pupils Were Released – Bukarti

Published

on

Following the release of the abducted Kuriga schoolchildren in Kaduna State, a security expert, Bulama Bukarti, says the circumstances leading to their release remain unclear.


According to Bukarti, Nigerians deserve to know how the children who were abducted on March 7 from their school in Kuriga, Kaduna State were released.

“I have been investigating the circumstances of their release and whether anyone was arrested and what were the terms of the release or how were they rescued if they were rescued, I did not find any information to that effect,” said Bukarti, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

“As Nigerians, we have the right to know how our government is proceeding with securing us, how our government is using our resources and how our government is dealing with criminal elements or terrorists elements among us.

“We have the right to know by law but we also have the right to know as Nigerians so that we may have confidence in our country.”

The security expert said the government needs to explain to Nigerians circumstances around the release of the Kuriga schoolchildren to quell rumours.

After weeks in captivity, Kaduna State Government announced on Monday that 137 students abducted in one of the largest mass kidnappings in Nigeria in recent times regained their freedom.

The state governor, Uba Sani, who announced the release of the schoolchildren, however, did not explain how they were rescued, giving room to rumours that ransom was paid for their release.

The Federal Government wasted no time in dispelling the rumour saying no ransom was paid.

The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, said the victims were rescued through the concerted efforts of the security agencies in the country.

The minister said, “President Bola Tinubu is determined to end this cycle of payment of ransom to kidnappers. The government believes that this continues to encourage these kidnappers, these criminal elements to perpetrate this act within the Nigerian nation and it is the official position of government as announced here last week that ransom will not be tolerated. Ransom will not be encouraged ransom will not be paid by the government.”

Idris also reiterated the determination of the current administration to end abductions in the country.

He, however, warned that the Federal Government will not hesitate to deal with anyone found to be making reckless comments capable of exacerbating more security challenges in the country.

Loading

Continue Reading

Headline

Tinubu Awards Slain Officers MON, Approves Scholarships For Children

Published

on

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, conferred national posthumous awards on 17 slain military personnel killed in the Okuama area of Delta State.

At the burial of the officers and soldiers at the Military Cemetery, Abuja, the President also announced scholarships and house gifts for the children and families of the slain military personnel.


The officers and soldiers were murdered by criminals of the riverine community on March 14, 2024 when the men in uniform were on a peace mission to warring Okuama and Okoloba communities in the area.

Four slain officers were awarded the honour of Members of the Order of the Niger (MON) while 13 slain soldiers were honoured with Officers of the Federal Republic medals.

“Each of the men now belongs to the hallowed list of service men and women who defended our country and protected their fellow Nigerians not minding the risks to their own lives.

“They have all been awarded now a posthumous National Honour. Four gallant officers have been accorded the award of Members of the Order of Niger (MON). The 13 courageous soldiers who also lost their lives have been awarded the officers of the federal republic medals,” Tinubu said.

Tinubu said the gallant soldiers would be remembered as patriots who answered the call of duty and paid the ultimate price.

“It is now our duty to protect the families of our departed heroes. The Federal Government will provide housing in any part of our country to each of the families of the four officers and 13 soldiers that were among them.

“The Federal Government has also approved scholarships to all children of the deceased up to university level including those who are in the womb. The military we appeal to you to within the next 90 days to ensure that all benefits of the departed are paid,” the President.

Loading

Continue Reading

Recent Posts




JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

Trending