Yoruba lawyers, Egbe Amofin condemn destruction of Yoruba heritage in Lagos
By Kunle Arufa
Yoruba lawyers under the aegies of The Egbe Amofin has strongly condemned the killings of humans and the destruction of public and private properties in Lagos.
The group said it is concerned and terribly disturbed about the unfortunate phenomenon that has trailed the barbaric shooting and killing of peaceful protesters at Lekki, Lagos State.
The group statement made available to Irohinoodua is listed below:
From information available to the leadership of Egbe Amofin, several national and state government assets as well as private properties have been attacked, vandalized and destroyed by hoodlums perhaps in an attempt to retaliate the unprovoked killings and attacks on harmless Nigerian youths or to vent other grievances. These national assets include Lagos High Court, Court of Appeal, Nigeria Port Authority Headquarters, City Mall, Palace of Oba of Lagos, TVC Station, new BRT Buses, Police Stations, Banks, Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
2. We condole with the families of those who have lost their loved ones in the regrettable and obnoxious event of 20 October, 2020 at Lekki, Lagos and in other locations during the peaceful protests of Nigerian youths and we pray God to comfort and strengthen them.
3. We condemn in unmistakable terms the wanton destruction of our treasured monuments as well as other public and private properties especially in Lagos State. The peaceful protesters have before now demonstrated great candour and uncommon integrity in the pursuit of their legitimate aspirations and demands. We condemn attempts by hoodlums to give the peaceful protest of Nigerian youths a negative narrative and the misguided to unleash terror and turn our land into a theatre of war.
4. We believe that the destruction of properties is not the solution to the socio-political and economic problems facing the country. The properties that have been destroyed are part of our common heritage as Yoruba people and we are pained that this is happening at a time of significant economic hardship and economic impoverishment as a people. We wish to state that as a people we should not close our eyes and allow unscrupulous elements have their way and watch helplessly.
5. The Egbe Amofin believes in the fundamental principles of rule of law, respect for human rights and constitutional order and the Omoluabi core value of the Yoruba people which enjoins us “to open our eyes even while we are weeping”.
6. We hereby with the highest sense of responsibility call on the Federal Government of Nigeria and Government of Lagos State to swiftly commence full investigations to unravel the people behind the unfortunate acts of terror and brigandage unleashed on Lagos State in the past few days.
7. We equally call on the Inspector General of Police to live up to his constitutional duties to maintain law and order and prevent crimes by protecting the lives and properties of innocent citizens and by deploying effective strategies to prevent reoccurrence of these despicable and criminal acts to demonstrate his continued relevance in office.
8. We equally call on the good people of Lagos State to remain calm and law abiding and without hesitation to furnish useful information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of heinous crimes across the State to the Government of Lagos State.
10. We appeal to the protesting youths to remain calm and allow peace to reign in our land. The leadership of Egbe Amofin is willing and ready to continue to render pro bono legal service to any lawful protester that may be harassed or arrested by the security agents while exercising their constitutionally guaranteed rights in a manner consistent with extant laws.
11. Egbe Amofin appeals to all Yoruba sons and daughters not to encourage hoodlums to destroy what our forebears laboured for several decades to build. We must preserve and protect our socio-economic infrastructure and cultural heritage