Ambode receives tribunal report on LFTZ killing, says report will be given prompt consideration

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on
Wednesday received a report of the five-man
Tribunal of Inquiry which investigated the civil
unrest in Ibeju-Lekki area of the State on October
12, 2015 that led to the death of the Managing
Director of Lekki Worldwide Investment Limited,
Alhaji Tajudeen Disu.
According to the Chief Press Secretary, Habib
Aruna, Governor Ambode had on October 22,
2015, inaugurated the Tribunal chaired by a
retired Lagos State High Court Judge, Hon.
Justice Adesuyi Olateru-Olagbegi, with the
mandate to inquire into the origin, factors and
circumstances leading to the breach of peace, as
well as make recommendations to government
based on the findings.
While describing the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ)
as an important project to the economy of the
State because of its strategic importance to the
job creation drive of his administration, Governor
Ambode said he was prepared to do everything to
ensure its success.
The Governor therefore vowed that any issue
concerning the success of the project would be
treated with dispatch.
According to him:
“The Report of the Tribunal has been
submitted today and the State Government
will give serious consideration to the
recommendations of the Tribunal and take
decisions to ensure that such an incident
does not recur.
“Let me assure members of the public and
investors alike that this Government will
always uphold the Rule of Law and
continue to provide a conducive atmosphere
for businesses to thrive,” he said.
Governor Ambode also thanked members of the
Tribunal for diligently carrying out the assignment
within the time frame given, and expressed hope
that they would be willing and ready to serve the
State in future when called upon.
Earlier, the Attorney General and Commissioner
for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, said it was
noteworthy that the Tribunal had the inaugural
sitting on November 16, 2015 and completed the
assignment with the forty-five days given to it.
Kazeem said the civil disturbances which led to
Disu’s killing in the Okunraye Community had
slowed down the development of the LFTZ, and
that the Tribunal was set up as part of efforts to
ensure safety of lives and property, prevent
recurrence and enhance the economic wellbeing
of the State.
In his remarks, Justice Olateru-Olagbegi said the
Tribunal received a total of 22 memoranda and 33
witness statements, including those from eminent
Nigerians.
He added that the Tribunal made a total of 24
recommendations which covered many issues
including the question of who pulled the trigger
that killed Disu, as well as the remote and
immediate causes of the civil unrest.
Justice Olateru-Olagbegi also said that the
Tribunal recommended the measures to adopt in
forestalling a recurrence as well as other
miscellaneous matters incidental to the unrest,
adding that there was no majority or minority
report, but just one team report of the Tribunal.
He said:
“We took time out to visit the Lekki Free
Trade Zone. We visited the Dangote
Industries, Lekki Worldwide Investment
Limited, the villages and communities in the
area including Okunraye where the trouble
began.
“We saw a lot and we learnt a lot. From
what was presented to us, from what we
saw with our own eyes, our view is that
Lekki Free Trade Zone has vast potential to
transform the economic landscape of Lagos
State in terms of generating massive
employment, creation of wealth, generating
revenue and so on.
“Our findings reveal that the transformation
would be on a scale that is hitherto
unparalleled in Africa,” Justice Olateru-
Olagbegi said.