Mr. Festus Keyamo who is a the minister of state for labour and employment during his media interview with Channels television on Sunday politics on 28th day of November, 2021 did categorically stated that the judicial panel of inquiry set up to investigate cases of police brutality and SARS-related abuses across the country especially that of Lagos state is illegal. This statement is by implication means that whatever result, findings or recommendations that comes out of that tribunal will not be effective as it will be null and void as you can not enforce on illegality.
Mr. Festus Keyamo who is coincidentally a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is by all standard aware of the gravity of his statement declaring that the judicial panel of enquiry is illegal as he was heard to have said “I will answer this question as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and so, I am entitled to my own opinion.
“For me, that panel was an illegal panel”.
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He based his argument on the Tribunal of Enquiry Act of Lagos State which states that the governor only have the power to inquire into the conduct of any person, underline any person and then chieftaincy matters and related matters, and any other matter within that to promote the good of the public within the state. He interpreted s.21 of the Enquiry Act of the Lagos state to mean that it is only people over whom Lagos State has control that they can inquire into their conducts as you cannot attempt to set up a panel to enquire into the affairs and people you have no power or control over. To this effect, according to the learned silk the panel of enquiry is illegal and it’s findings and recommendations are void.