#EndSARS: Pro-government “Activist,” Mr Kenechuku Okeke, asks Judicial panel to summon CNN

A pro- Nigerian Government self a-claimed human rights activist, Kenechuku Okeke, on Monday asked the Lagos state judicial panel to summon CNN for questioning over its investigative report on the Lekki shootings. 

The Abuja based lawyer had earlier filed a criminal complaint before a Chief Magistrate’s court in Abuja against 38 people over their active roles in the EndSARS protests. 

He alleged that initiated the proceedings against the protesters in the interest of defence, public safety and public order. 

On Monday, Okeke disclosed the latest criminal complaint against CNN via his social media,

“I filed a contempt petition at the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry for criminal contempt summons (Form C) to issue against CNN Africa, CNN International, Messsrs. Obianuju Catherine Udeh, Stephanie Busari, Nima Elbagir, Gianluca Mezzofiore and Katie Polglase, Barbara Arvanitidis, Muhammad Darwish and Oscar Featherstone; and I shall ensure that the criminal contempt proceedings is alleged contemnors are dealt with according to law,” he said in a statement.

“Without mincing words, CNN or any other foreign media organisation must respect the laws of the Federation of Nigeria (including any regulations thereof), and also treat the population with respect, courtesy, and acting with impartiality, integrity and respect for diversity.”… 

CNN International crew had investigated the events of the Lekki Toll Gate Plaza, where unarmed protesters gathered to demand an end to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, or SARS, a police unit accused of extrajudicial killings and abuses. 

The detailed reporting exposed the Nigerian Government’s role in the killings of unarmed protesters, the story also revealed and examined bullet casings found at the scene and confirmed with current and former Nigerian military sources that the bullet casings match those used by the Nigerian army officers who shot at protesters. Two ballistics experts confirmed with CNN that the shape of the bullet casings indicate they used live rounds, which contradicts the army’s claim they fired blanks.

The Federal Government criticized the news agency and threatened to sanction the foreign media outlet, CNN, over its report on the alleged shooting of #EndSARS protesters by soldiers at the Lekki toll plaza.

In the latest development, the Nigerian government has on Monday written a petition against international news agency, Cable News Network, CNN for its biased and unfair investigative report on the Lekki shootings. But the news outlet has continued to say it stands by its story. 

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