Human rights lawyer and activist Inibehe Effiong has demanded a thorough investigation into allegations of extra-judicial killings linked to the 2020 #EndSARS protests. The allegations surfaced following comments made by Wale Ajetunmobi, a suspended media aide to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Governor Sanwo-Olu suspended Ajetunmobi, who served as Senior Special Assistant on Print Media, after controversial remarks he made on his personal X account (formerly Twitter). The aide allegedly claimed that individuals responsible for setting fire to the TVC News station during the protests were tracked and executed.
Effiong, speaking via his X handle on Tuesday, described the confession as “alarming” and called for law enforcement agencies to investigate the matter.
“Suspending Wale Ajetunmobi as your aide does not address the alarming confession of extra-judicial killings made by him,” Effiong wrote in a public statement to Governor Sanwo-Olu. “This matter has to be investigated thoroughly by law enforcement agencies. He should be taken into custody immediately.”
Effiong further questioned the fate of individuals allegedly involved in the TVC News arson and challenged the Lagos State Government and Police Command to clarify the situation.
“Where are the suspects or persons arrested in connection with the arson? What are their names? Has anyone been charged with the crime committed at TVC station?” he asked.
Effiong expressed concern over the apparent lack of transparency regarding the suspects and warned against the government or its allies assuming roles as “executioners.” He emphasized that only the judiciary is constitutionally empowered to determine guilt in criminal cases.
“We cannot tolerate a situation where the government or those sympathetic to the political class act as executioners. The judiciary is the sole authority to decide the guilt of accused persons,” he stated.
In a statement released earlier, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, condemned Ajetunmobi’s comments, calling them a misrepresentation of facts. The Lagos State Government distanced itself from the claims and reiterated its commitment to professionalism and accuracy in public communication.
Ajetunmobi’s suspension has intensified calls for accountability and transparency in addressing the alleged human rights violations linked to the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests.
The public awaits further clarification from both the Lagos State Government and law enforcement agencies regarding the fate of the arson suspects and the claims of extra-judicial killings.
