Despite the widespread calls for an investigation into the controversial comment made by Wale Ajetunmobi, the suspended Senior Special Assistant on Print Media to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the state government has remained silent.
The suspended aide had claimed in a now-deleted post on Sunday that some arsonists who burnt down Television Continental during the #EndSARS protests in the state in 2020 had been “hunted and executed.”
Ajetunmobi had also alleged that one of the “executed” individuals was a young boy who worked as a cooking gas trader in the Ketu area of Lagos. He later denied any suggestion of extrajudicial killings, clarifying that his use of the term “execution” was an unintended “error.”
While the government distanced itself from Ajetunmobi’s remarks, asserting that it “frowns upon any form of extrajudicial punishment and will not condone such actions,” there was no mention of an investigation in the statement released on Tuesday by Gboyega Akosile, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Sanwo-Olu.
When TheNigerian Metro contacted Akosile on Wednesday to find out whether an investigation would be launched following Ajetunmobi’s suspension, his phone rang unanswered. Subsequent SMS and WhatsApp messages also went unanswered when filing this report.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, did not respond to phone calls or messages from our correspondent seeking clarification on the government’s next steps following Ajetunmobi’s suspension.
In a telephone interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, former Vice President of the Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Monday Ubani, SAN, commended Ajetunmobi’s suspension but stressed the need for further inquiry into the comments.
He said, “The young man voluntarily posted on his platform, using the term ‘execute’ to describe the situation, stating that they were ‘hunted and executed.’ He later clarified that he did not intend to imply extrajudicial actions, explaining that he meant they were arrested and dealt with by the law.
“The concern now is that people are eager to understand what prompted his remarks and whether there is any truth in his language.”
His suspension by the state government is commendable, as it could potentially open the door for a thorough investigation.”
When asked whether private individuals could petition the court to compel the state government to initiate an investigation into the comments, Ubani explained that such individuals would need to demonstrate that they were directly impacted by the disclosure.
“In matters of public interest, individuals can take legal action to compel the government to fulfil its responsibilities. Every individual has the right to urge the government to act by the law. If the government abuses its power or acts in violation of any existing rules, anyone can seek legal redress to ensure accountability.
“If the government fails to initiate an investigation, a private individual may seek to compel action through the courts. However, the challenge lies in the court potentially requiring the individual to demonstrate how they were personally affected by the disclosure.
“I believe that in matters of locus standi, the court should focus on the substance of the complaint rather than the identity of the litigant. Greater attention should be given to the issue being brought before the court rather than the individual presenting it,” he said.
Human rights lawyer, Collins Aigbogun, while calling for the avoidance of media trial emphasised that the relatives of those affected —whether the victims are deceased or not— have the right to seek legal redress in court.
“The fact that he works for the government does not automatically validate or invalidate his statement. However, it is expected that the government, being the subject of such serious allegations, should either refute or confirm them.
“We must exercise caution given the gravity of the issue at hand, which involves individual rights and the alleged deaths of certain persons. It is crucial to avoid conducting a trial by the media.
“When the government fails in its duty, individuals who have been wronged can seek redress. Even if the person affected is deceased, their relatives can go to court to seek the enforcement of those rights,” Aigbogun stated.
