#EndSars Protest: It is premature to say live bullets were fired – Malami

The Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has said that due processes have to be strictly adhered to before any action can be taken on the report of the Lagos panel on police brutality.

In a monitored interview, Malami said the report of the panel cannot be conclusive in establishing a position that live bullets were shot at protesters who converged at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos on October 20

While answering questions relating to the usage of live bullets at the protest venue, Malami said “You are jumping into a conclusion that live ammunition was indeed used during the #EndSARS,”

“Whether the report said so or it does not say so, as far as I’m concerned, I’m not in the position to ascertain because whatever it is, one, you said there was a report.”

“And arriving from your submission, there was a white paper; arriving from the white paper, part of the report was rejected and part of it was admitted.”

“Within the context of the white paper too, you have criminal investigations that must naturally follow through the process of prosecution when the need arises.

“With or without the report, what I’m trying to say in essence, the report, in its own right, cannot be conclusive in establishing a position.

He reiterated that “There are still additional layers of administrative and judicial processes that would follow before you can jump into a particular conclusion establishing a point criminal or otherwise.”

“I think as far as the report, in its own right, it is not conclusive of a provision of what truly transpired against the background of your submission that part of the report was indeed rejected by Lagos state government.”

He asserted that “there are other investigative components that may at the end of the day translate to criminal prosecution and as such, it is indeed very premature for you to jump into conclusion that live ammunition was used.”

“I’m not in the position to accept that from you and I can’t share in your conclusion as to whether indeed live ammunition was used. It is premature for me as a chief law officer to share in your conclusion in that direction.”