The 2020 Endsars victims’ mass burial will reportedly cost N61, 285,000, according to the Lagos State government.
The Lagos government awarded the burial contract to TOS Funerals Limited in a letter that was leaked online and was titled “Letter of No Objection. Mass Burial for the 103, the Year 2020 Endsars Victims.” The letter was dated July 19 and had the reference number LA/PPA/NO ONJ/VOL22/213. It was addressed to the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health in Alausa, Ikeja.
The letter was written over three years after the Sanwo-Olu administration denied the terrible murder of unarmed protestors at the Lekki toll gate on the night of October 20, 2020, who were waving the Nigerian flag and shouting the national song when the military opened fire on them.
Several unidentified bodies were removed by security agencies and the Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (LASEHMU) and deposited at various hospital mortuaries in Lagos State, according to the Certified True Copy report of the Lekki incident investigation from October 20, 2020, by the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Enquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS-Related Abuses and Other Matters.
The panel further stated that it believed the claims of protestors who had died or been hurt were believable and urged the release of the remains and compensation for the victims’ families. It is unknown whether the order to return the victims’ bodies to their relatives was followed.
The document bearing Mr. Idowu’s signature verifies that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the contract for the victims’ mass burial.
“We refer to your letter dated 13 July 2023 with Ref No: LSMH/G/NS/013-1/23 in respect of the above subject matter. Following our review of your letter and the documents attached, we note the following; Mr Governor’s approval, minutes of ministerial tenders’ board meeting, procurement planning committee and sign-off.
“Following review of your request and based on the information provided therein, the Agency has “No Objection” to the award of contract To Messrs. TOS Funerals Limited at a total cost of N61,285,000.00 (Sixty-One Million, Two Hundred and Eighty-Five Thousand Naira) only for the mass burial for the 103, the year 2020 Endsars victims
“In view of the above, please note that you should ensure a quadruplicate copy of the letter of award for Messes. TOS Funerals Limited, registered with the PPA within 72 hours, ensure the submission of the certificate of suppliers registration with PPA in the appropriate class, ensure all statutory taxes and deductions are remitted by the supplier and the letter of award is to be accompanied by a copy of this letter of “No Objection, Certificate of Registration / Renewal with PPA and receipt of payment of Admin fees (0.25%) to be paid before release of fund.
“Refer to Head of Service circular with Reference No. CIR/H05/20/Vol 1/051 dated May 2020, it is mandated that the 0.25% admin fee is paid to PPA and the 0.5% agreement fee is paid to the Ministry of Justice. Service providers should indicate in writing where there is the need for STO/MDA Finance and Accounts to deduct at source or payment directly by the service providers before the release of funds.
“Pursuant to Sections 18 (1) (b) and 18(1) (k) of the Lagos State Public Procurement Law 2021), your office is required to keep proper records of this project which shall be subject to procurement audit by the agency after. Please be guided accordingly,” the letter read.
