Nigerian lawyer, Bamidele Aturu, has called the Lagos State and Federal governments to task regarding the assassination attempt on the life of Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa by yet to be identified persons.
Armed men had reportedly stormed the lawyer’s house at about 3am on Monday with intention of killing him but the attempt was foiled by the arrival of policemen.
On March 27, the Federal High Court in Lagos had declared the collection of toll, on the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge, illegal, following a suit Adegboruwa had filed, challenging the power of Lagos State to collect toll on the bridge.
Adegboruwa, who raised the alarm on the murder attempt, also credited those with vested interests in the case as sponsors of the attack. On an edition of Law Weekly, he spoke against what he called “executive lawlessness” and called on Nigerians to challenge illegal taxes and charges imposed on them.
Decrying the attempt on the activist’s life, Aturu said, that the attempt came shortly after the decision of the Federal High Court which agreed with him on the case he filed on the illegal tolling of the Lekki/Ikoyi Bridge by the government of Lagos State creates opportunity for people to read meanings into the dastardly attempt.”
“In the circumstances I do not expect Lagos State Government to indulge in fruitless recriminations over the incident,” he said, maintaining that “It must do its constitutional duty of ensuring that the life of Ebun is not snuffed out.”
He further stated that the government must protect the lawyer even “if it has to provide security” as “Nigerians will not accept any lame excuse.”
“In the same vein, the police and federal authorities should ensure that Mr Adegboruwa and his family are given adequate protection. The moment citizens cannot go about their convictions on account of threat and intimidation then nothing is left of our so – called democracy. A stich in time saves nine,” he said.
