The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has maintained that it is too early for anyone to arrive at the conclusion that the Nigerian Army used live ammunition on harmless protesters at the Lekki toll gate on October 20, 2020.
Malami made his submission during a Channels Television’s current affairs programme,
Live bullets were fired at demonstrators on the night of October 20, 2020, according to forensic experts who testified before the panel during the one-year sitting, but Malami maintained that it is too early to draw such a decision.
During the interview, the show’s host asked if it was appropriate for the military to fire live gunfire at nonviolent protestors.
Malami said, “You are jumping to a conclusion that live ammunition were indeed used during the EndSARS protest. Whether the report says so or it doesn’t say so, as far as I am concerned, I am not in a position to ascertain that.
“Within the context of the White Paper, we have criminal investigation that must follow for the purpose of criminal prosecution where the need arises.
“The report in its own right cannot be conclusive in making a position; there are still layers of administrative and judicial processes that would follow before you can jump, establishing conclusion, criminal or otherwise.
“So, I think as far as the report stands in its own right, it is not conclusive for the provision of what truly transpired…Indeed, it is very premature to jump to a conclusion that live ammunition were used. I am not in a position to accept that. It is premature for me as the chief law officer to share in the conclusion in that direction.”