Lagos judicial panel restricts journalists from using mobile phones at sitting 

The Lagos state Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution has restricted the use of phones during hearings. 

The panel on Tuesday, directed journalists, petitioners and everyone present at the panel to switch off their phones at close range to the panel.  

The panel through posters plastered on the wall instructed that “Please switch off all mobile phones,” “use of phones is restricted beyond this point.”

The Chairman of the Panel, Justice Doris Okuwobi (retd.), gave security reasons as the motive behind the ruling. 

However, this new policy has come under fire from Nigerians who believe it was created to restrict transparency for the panel. 

The media and visitors at the panel have held the panel accountable by livestreaming and tweeting events from the proceedings. 

By asking them not to use their phones, they would not be able to perform this duty anymore.

The 8-man Lagos State judicial panel was set up by Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to investigate cases of police brutality in Lagos State. 

Sanwo-Olu said upon inauguration of the panel, “As we move to end police brutality, by virtue of Section 5 of Tribunals of Inquiry Law, Laws of Lagos State, 2015, I inaugurated an 8-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution which will receive and investigate complaints of police brutality in Lagos.”