Lagos State Government remains silent despite calls for an investigation into comments made by suspended aide Wale Ajetunmobi, sparking legal concerns.
Lagos, Nigeria – Despite growing calls for an official investigation, the Lagos State Government has yet to respond to a controversial statement made by Wale Ajetunmobi, the suspended Senior Special Assistant on Print Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
. Ajetunmobi recently claimed in a now-deleted post that some of the individuals who allegedly set fire to Television Continental (TVC) during the #EndSARS protests in 2020 had been “hunted and executed.”
Also read: Lagos Governor Suspends Aide Over Misleading Social Media Post
Ajetunmobi’s claims, which included the assertion that one of those “executed” was a young gas trader from the Ketu area of Lagos, have sparked widespread concern.
While Ajetunmobi later retracted his words, describing the term “execution” as an unintended “error,” the Lagos State Government has yet to clarify whether an investigation will be launched into his statements.
The government distanced itself from the comments, with a statement from Gboyega Akosile, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Sanwo-Olu, reaffirming that the state “frowns upon any form of extrajudicial punishment.”
However, no mention of an investigation was made in the official statement released on Tuesday.
Additionally, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, also did not respond to inquiries.
Legal experts are now calling for more transparency. Monday Ubani, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Vice President of the Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, commended Ajetunmobi’s suspension but emphasised the need for a thorough investigation.
Ubani explained that while Ajetunmobi clarified his words by stating that the individuals in question were “arrested and dealt with by the law,” the public still deserves to know the truth behind his claims.
“There’s a pressing need for the government to explain what led to Ajetunmobi’s controversial statement,” Ubani said in a telephone interview.
“His suspension is a step in the right direction, but it must lead to a full inquiry into the matter.”
Ubani also discussed the possibility of private individuals seeking legal redress should the state fail to initiate an investigation.
He stated that if the government neglects its duty, citizens may petition the court to compel action, especially in matters of public interest.
“Anyone can push the government to act by law, particularly in cases where rights may have been violated or power abused,” Ubani noted.
“The court may require a litigant to show they were directly affected by the statements, but the substance of the issue should take precedence over the identity of the complainant.”
Human rights lawyer Collins Aigbogun also weighed in, cautioning against a media trial.
Aigbogun argued that while the media’s role is essential in holding authorities accountable, it’s crucial that individuals or their families seek legal redress if their rights have been violated.
“The gravity of the matter demands careful consideration, especially regarding the alleged deaths of individuals.
If the government does not respond adequately, those affected—whether directly or through relatives—have the right to pursue legal action,” Aigbogun explained.
The controversy surrounding Ajetunmobi’s comments continues to reverberate, with legal and human rights advocates urging the Lagos State Government to take decisive action and shed light on the full truth behind the statements made by the suspended aide.
As the public eagerly awaits further developments, the case has raised serious questions about accountability, justice, and the role of the government in addressing potentially harmful statements made by its officials.
