BREAKING; Lekki Shootings; CNN Objects To Lagos Panel’s Invitation.
Cable News Network, Inc. [CNN] has objected to a Witness Summons by the 8-man Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution of Victims of SARS Related Abuses for its Team of Reporters to appear before it today, December 12, to give evidence on their reportage of the #ENDSARS Lekki shooting.
The foreign media house contended that it does not fall under the territorial jurisdiction of the retired Justice Doris Okuwobi-led panel to warrant being summoned to appear before the panel.
CNN’s Lawyers, Messrs. Olumide Babalola LP, filed the objection dated 4th December 2020, at the Tribunal on December 9th, 2020.
In the letter, Mr Olumide Babalola said; ”Since the Objectors are not ‘persons in Nigeria’ as envisaged by the provision of section 5c[of Tribunals of Inquiry Law of Lagos State], then this Honorable Tribunal is, with respect, bereft of territorial jurisdiction to compel their attendance to give evidence before it”.
According to Babalola, the panel invited him into its Private Hearing Room this morning and subsequently excused CNN from further proceedings or appearing before the panel.
CNN’s invitation followed its two-part report which claimed that soldiers shot at and killed peaceful #EndSARS protesters on the night of October 20th at the Lekki Toll Gate.
But the Federal Government condemned the CNN report, describing it as irresponsible, while the Nigerian Army denied shooting at or killing peaceful protesters.
