“He is back to factory setting” – Nigerians react as Sanwo-Olu rejects N5M compensation to Uber driver tortured during EndSARS memorial

Nigerians are reacting in various ways to Governor Jide Sanwoolu’s refusal to compensate the Uber driver who was tortured during the EndSARS memorial.

This is only a week after his reelection.

On March 14, 2023, a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the Lagos State Government to pay N5 million in compensation to Adedotun Clement, an Uber driver who was severely tortured on October 20, 2021, at the Lekki Toll-Gate during the first EndSARS anniversary.

Clement was transporting a passenger to the Lagos mainland when he encountered a traffic jam at the Lekki Toll-Gate due to a protest marking the first anniversary of EndSARS. Officers from the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Agency and police pepper-sprayed him.

The attack on the Uber driver was captured on video and widely reported by television stations and newspapers, eliciting widespread condemnation.

Inibehe Effiong, a human rights lawyer, filed a lawsuit against the Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Police Force to seek redress.

Following the judgment, Effiong wrote a letter Governor Sanwo-Olu on March 16, 2023 demanding compliance with the judgment. However, the governor refused to act on the demand. The Lagos State Government has now filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Lagos 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.

Reacting to the latest development, Vanessaoflagos wrote “Of course, the election is over. He is back to being himself.”

Queen_gilbert wrote: He has won elections already. He would see no reasons to pacify the hearts of the youths.

Kabs_wignature wrote: He is back to factory settings.