The Lagos State Head of Service (HOS) Mr Hakeem Muri Okunola today Saturday 3rd July, 2021 concluded his testimony at the Lagos State judicial panel on restitution for victims of SARS related abuses and other matters sitting in Lagos.
Recall that the HOS had been summoned by the judicial panel to give testimony on the EndSARS protests which rocked Lagos State and other states of the country between 8th of October to 20th of October 2020 and the Lekki tollgate plaza incident and it’s attendant loss of human lives of civilians and security agencies personnel as well as massive destruction of public and private infrastructure and assets and the desecration of traditional palaces, looting and vandalization of warehouses and business premises.
Mr. Hakeem Muri Okunola the HOS honoured the witness summons served on him by making an appearance at the panel on the 22nd of June 2021 when he gave an oral testimony and backed it up with visuals and documentary evidence which was submitted to the panel and admitted as exhibit.
After his testimony in chief, the HOS was cross examined by counsels of some identified EndSARS protesters who petitioned the panel and the counsels of the Nigeria police force and the NBA. Throughout his cross examination, the HOS maintained the position expressed in his evidence in chief.
The cross examination of Mr. Muri Okunola was concluded today with his cross examination by Mr. Olumide Fusika (SAN) counsel for the EndSARS protesters movement and Bernard Onigah of the NBA, after which he was re-examined by his counsel Mr. A. J. Owonikoko (SAN).
At the end of the cross examination and re-examination, the panel applauded the HOS for honouring the panel witness summons to assist it in the discharge of it’s assignment as it discharged him from further appearance at the panel.
The panel sitting continues next week.
