Lekki shootings: Lagos Panel Of Inquiry Lacks Jurisdiction To Summon US — CNN

*Says they Are Not Persons In Nigeria

The Cable News Network (CNN) has reacted to the summons issued against her by the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution of Victims of SARS Related Abuses

In a letter dated December 4 sighted by TheNigeriaLawyer, CNN said she is not within the geographical location of Nigeria therefore the tribunal lacks the jurisdiction to summon her and her team of reporters.

CNN, who’s represented by the law firm of Messrs. Olumide Babalola LP, drew the attention of the tribunal to the provisions of the Tribunals Of Inquiry Law Of Lagos State, Cap. T6, which provides under section 5(c) thereof that the tribunal is competent to only “summon any person in Nigeria.”

After citing many decided cases to show that words of a statute are to be given their literal interpretation, CNN said “we submit that, since the Objectors are not ‘persons in Nigeria’ as envisaged by the provision of section 5(c), then this Honourable Tribunal is, with respect, bereft of territorial jurisdiction to compel their attendance to give evidence before it.”

They, therefore, urged the panel to set aside the summons

They also made reference to a news link and advised the tribunal to check same so as to aid its fact finding mission

CNN’s invitation followed its two-part report which claimed that soldiers shot at and killed peaceful #EndSARS protesters on the night of October 20 at the Lekki Toll Gate.