Suspected paid human rights lawyer, Kenechukwu Okeke has threatened to drag all members of staff of Cable News Network, CNN to court for releasing investigative findings on the shooting of peaceful protesters in Lekki, Lagos state.
Mr Okeke had earlier filed a complaint against prominent #EndSARS champion Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Sam Adeyemi and 48 others stressing that the agitations led to the destruction of his property.
Responding, Justice Omolola Akindele of a magistrate court sitting in Abuja gave the Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Ciroma two weeks to investigate the matter and give a report for “proper adjudication”.
In a daring move, Mr Okeke has issued a statement requesting CNN to retract its report and tender an apology for interfering in an ongoing investigation being carried out by an Independent Judicial Panel of Inquiry.
He is also asking a senior staff of CNN, Stephanie Busari who was among the journalists that worked on the report, to appear before the Judicial panel and testify under oath.
According to him, CNN risks being slammed a criminal suit if it does not abide by the demands.
The statement which was issued on Twitter reads:
“It’s preemptive and contemptuous to discuss, counter, or conclude on any testimony placed before any tribunal established by law, so as to influence the consideration of the tribunal. It is, but wise to await the outcomes of the proceedings holden at the judicial panel.
‘Without an exception’ herein includes any person(s) or actor(s) that improperly collaborated on substantive factual and legal issues on @Twitter (or any other social media platforms), outside of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiries (tribunals).
“@StephanieBusari You are hereby mandated to (forthwith) pull-down any such contemptuous and preemptive article accessible at https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/11/18/africa/lagos-nigeria-lekki-toll-gate-feature-intl/index.html and apologise to the Nigerian people.
“Failure to abide by this decree will earn you a criminal suit in accordance with the law.”
It's preemptive and contemptuous to discuss, counter, or conclude on any testimony placed before any tribunal established by law, so as to influence the consideration of the tribunal. It is, but wise to await the outcomes of the proceedings holden at the judicial panel.
— KeneChukwu Okeke (@HumanRightsNG) November 18, 2020
@StephanieBusari You are hereby mandated to (forthwith) pull down any such contemptuous and preemptive article accessible at https://t.co/CePNcrq64z and apologise to the Nigerian people.
Failure to abide by this decree, will earn you a criminal suit in accordance with the law.
— KeneChukwu Okeke (@HumanRightsNG) November 18, 2020