By Oyindamola Ruth
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested Nigerian Comedian, Mr Macaroni.
He was arrested while filming with his mobile phone at the protest ground.
The Comedian also confirmed his arrest via his Instagram Live.
Also, Mr Macaroni alongside other unarmed peaceful protesters were arrested by the police, today at the Lekki Toll Gate.
In the Instagram live video showed Macaroni and other protesters were inside a black maria.
Confirming his arrest, Mr Macaroni said, “In a circular, the attorney general stated that everyone has a right to protest but observe COVID-19 protocols
“You are saying it’s our right but you’re restricting us.You’ll be arrested if you’re at the toll gate. I’m doing this live to show you that some of us have been arrested.
“The democracy our governors, president are enjoying some people fought for it. Let us know if we are in a military regime.
“As a president how on earth will you think the opening of toll gate is on of the things to do, till now what justice has come out from that panel. You are bullying youth representatives at the panel. How on earth do you think opening this toll gate is the next line of action.”
As of time of filing this report, there is currently heavy police presence at Lekki toll gate, which is the venue of the #OccupyLekkiTollGate protest holding Today ,February 13, 2021.
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RINU STEPS DOWN
Rinu Oduala, has stepped down from the Lagos State Judicial Panel investigating police brutality and human rights abuse over an alleged cover-up.
Rinu who is one of the representative of the youths in the panel made this known in a statement on Friday, describing the development as an act of injustice.
She added that she will not be part of a cover-up.
The statement reads below:
“My stand on the reopening on the toll gate remains clear; the state government and the private organisation which operates the toll have not been cleared of collusion with elements allegedly deployed by the federal government to target Nigerian citizens on home soil during a time of peace, without provocation.
“Justice has not been served, and as a representative of the Nigerian citizenry, my only recourse is to stay the course of justice. Let me be clear: I chose to honour the invitation to represent my peers and to stand as an example that any Nigerian has the right to demand accountability of elected government officials and that our institutions, however flawed, can still deliver justice.
“What I will not do is be part of a cover-up. I am proud that I took the invitation because some of the successes the panel has recorded so far have been incredibly powerful for the people.
“For the first time, SARS victims have had the opportunity to be truly seen and heard by the government, by the public, and by the system that allowed them to be victims in the first place.
“The panel allowed victims of police intimidation and brutality to have their day in the light of justice. They got to expose the violence that was meted out, to experience some catharsis from having the government acknowledge its failures and, in many cases, are going to be receiving some compensation, however inadequate for the disruption to their lives.
“This is further than we have ever come as a nation, and while this same rigour was not applied to the case of the Lekki Toll shootings, we can at least celebrate the wins that our brothers and sisters can finally claim in their fight for justice, and recognise that our collective will is more powerful than any institution.
“However, partial wins are not enough for me. I decided to join this fight because I wanted the government to recognise its failures and work to overhaul its security institutions. I did not expect piecemeal acknowledgements and efforts to sabotage vital proceedings.”
