#EndSARS: Sanwo-Olu orders payment of N5m compensation to tortured Uber driver

In a statement on Saturday, March 25, Governor Sanwo-Olu, said he just became aware of the judgment.

This comes barely 24 hours after the governor rejected the judgement of the Federal High Court that ordered the state to pay compensation.

Recall that the court had ordered Sanwo-Olu’s administration to pay the sum of Five Million Naira as compensation to a cabbie who was severely tortured on October 20, 2021 at the Lekki toll gate.

Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the Attorney-General of the state, Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, to pay with immediate effect the sum of N5 million to Adedotun Clement, an Uber driver who was assaulted during EndSARS memorial in 2021.

This comes barely 24 hours after the governor rejected the judgement of the Federal High Court that ordered the state to pay compensation.

The court had ordered Sanwo-Olu’s administration to pay the sum of Five Million Naira as compensation to a cabbie who was severely tortured on October 20, 2021 at the Lekki toll gate.

However, Sanwo-Olu refused to act on the demand, instead the State Government filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Lagos division against the judgment.

In a Notice of Appeal filed on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, but served on Friday, March 23, signed by Dr Babajide Martins, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, the government said there was no evidence that the Uber driver was tortured.

But in a statement on Saturday, March 25, Governor Sanwo-Olu, said he just became aware of the judgment.

He said that he has directed the AGF to set up a meeting with Adedotun and pay him the N5m compensation awarded by court.

He said; “As Governor, I’m committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens’ rights with empathy and authority. I recently became aware of the case involving Mr. Clement Adedotun and the judgement by the Federal High Court, and I understand the impact this legal battle has had on him.

After reviewing Mr. Clement’s case, I’ve directed the Honorable Attorney General to set up a meeting and pay him the compensation awarded by the Court. Although the State Government has appealed the ruling, I’ve interceded in this instance in the interest of the public good, and requested that the State’s Attorney General comply with the court’s ruling.

As a strong advocate for the rule of law, I commend all parties for seeking justice through the appropriate channels, and I remain committed to upholding the rights of all Lagosians.”