Gov Sanwo-Olu orders N5m compensation payment to Uber driver assaulted during #EndSARS memorial

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the payment of N5 million compensation to an Uber driver, Adedotun Clement, who was assaulted on October 20, 2021, during a rally to mark the one-year anniversary of the #EndSARS protest in the state.

The governor in a statement on Saturday said he had “directed the Honorable Attorney General to set up a meeting and pay him the compensation awarded by the court.”

The High Court had on March 14, 2023, ordered the state government to pay the sum of N5 million as compensation to Adedotun who was said to have been tortured on October 20, 2021 at the Lekki Toll-Gate during the first #EndSARS anniversary.

Adedotun’s counsel, Inibehe Effiong, had in series of tweets on Friday, claimed the Lagos government was rejecting the judgment of the High Court over “lack of evidence for the torture.”

Adedotun, according to his lawyer, was carrying a passenger to Lagos Mainland when he encountered a gridlock at the Lekki Toll-Gate during a protest to commemorate the first anniversary of #EndSARS. “He was tortured and pepper-sprayed by officers of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency and policemen.”

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Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement on his verified Twitter page said he was committed to upholding the rule of law.

“I recently became aware of the case involving Mr. Clement Adedotun and the judgement 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.”