Cable News Network, Inc. (CNN) has protested against its invitation by the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry to appear before it on Saturday, December 12, 2020, (today), over the alleged killing of peaceful #EndSARS protesters by soldiers in October.
The news outfit said the panel does not have the jurisdiction to summon its staff to testify before it because they are not in Nigeria.
The panel had invited CNN following its two-part report on the Lekki shooting incident.
The report had claimed that Nigerian soldiers shot at and killed peaceful #EndSARS protesters on the night of October 20 at the Lekki toll gate, Lagos.
According, the objection file by CNN’s Lawyers, Messrs. Olumide Babalola LP and dated 4th December 2020 at the Tribunal on December 9, 2020, stated that the panel is bereft of territorial jurisdiction to compel CNN staff to give evidence before it.
The objection letter reads, “Since the Objectors are not “persons in Nigeria” as envisaged by the provision of section 5(c) (of Tribunals Of Inquiry Law Of Lagos State, Cap. T6), then this Honourable Tribunal is, with respect, bereft of territorial jurisdiction to compel their attendance to give evidence before it.”
The panel has therefore excused CNN from further proceedings or appearing before it after a discussion with Babalola in its Private Hearing Room on Saturday, December 12, 2020.
