Five years after the #EndSARS protests shook Nigeria and ignited a nationwide call for police accountability, the legal community is taking stock of how far the country has come—and how far it still has to go. Legal practitioners say the movement not only reshaped Nigeria’s civic consciousness but also exposed the deep-rooted weaknesses in governance, justice delivery, and institutional accountability.
As the country marks the fifth anniversary, lawyers across different sectors are reflecting on the promises made, the recommendations issued, and the lack of meaningful implementation. Many agree that while the movement remains a landmark moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey, the struggle for justice and police reform is far from over.
A defining moment in Nigeria’s civic history
The #EndSARS protests of October 2020 began as a youth-led movement against the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a police unit accused of brutality, extrajudicial killings, and abuse of power. What started online quickly grew into one of the largest demonstrations in Nigeria’s recent history.
For many, the protests represented a collective demand for a fairer society where justice, human rights, and the rule of law are respected. However, the events that followed—including the reported shootings at the Lekki Toll Gate—left a lasting scar on the nation’s conscience.
Kunle Edun: “Disregard for court orders is dangerous”
Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Welfare Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Kunle Edun, described the EndSARS saga as “a dark page in Nigeria’s history.” According to him, the failure of government to respect judicial decisions sends a troubling message about the state of the rule of law.
He said, “The courts gave judgments awarding damages to victims, yet the government ignored them. Disrespect for judgments is an invitation to anarchy — not even a million soldiers can stop it.”
Edun also accused some Attorneys-General and legislators of enabling disobedience to court orders, emphasizing that true democracy can only thrive when institutions are respected. He urged courts to enforce compliance more firmly and called for the establishment of state policing to curb abuses.
Deji Adeyanju: “Systemic impunity remains a major obstacle”
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju attributed the lack of accountability for EndSARS-related abuses to what he called Nigeria’s “systemic culture of impunity.” According to him, political interference has prevented the proper implementation of judicial panel recommendations.
“Implementation of judicial panel recommendations depends on political will and budgetary approval, both of which are lacking,” Adeyanju said.
He further noted that while ECOWAS Court rulings are legally binding, they lack coercive power. Compliance, he explained, often depends on goodwill and pressure from civil society, rather than enforceable legal mechanisms.
Amanda Demechi-Asagba: “Victims deserve restitution, not rhetoric”
Amanda Demechi-Asagba, a representative of the Nigerian Bar Association on the Lagos Judicial Panel, stressed that victims of police brutality deserve more than promises.
“The panels made clear findings, but implementation has stalled. Victims deserve justice, compensation, restitution, and not rhetoric,” she stated.
She also urged the government to show genuine commitment to reforming the police force. “The police must be restructured to prioritize human rights and rebuild community trust,” she added, warning that failure to act could trigger another wave of public outrage.
Ayo Ademiluyi: “Real justice is still elusive”
For Ayo Ademiluyi, one of the lawyers representing victims of the Lekki Toll Gate incident, the lack of justice reflects a deeper political problem.
“The Lagos Judicial Panel’s findings were nullified by a unilateral White Paper. No victim can get real justice under this current political class because they enabled the injustice perpetrated five years ago on innocent youth calling for change,” he lamented.
Ademiluyi called for urgent reforms in police welfare and structure, insisting that real reform cannot happen without improving the working and living conditions of officers.
EndSARS: A historical turning point with unfinished business
Five years later, #EndSARS remains both a moment in history and an ongoing struggle. The movement changed how Nigerians view state accountability and proved the power of civic action. Yet, for many, the lack of concrete reforms and justice for victims is a reminder that true change requires sustained effort.
Lawyers and human rights advocates continue to call on the government to implement judicial recommendations, respect court orders, and rebuild public trust. Until then, the promise of EndSARS remains unfulfilled—but not forgotten.
