Lagos-based lawyer, Femi Falana, on Sunday, said the State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, should be held responsible for the death of the Makoko traditional ruler.

The chief, Timothy Agbe, was allegedly killed on Saturday during a demolition exercise at the Makoko and Iwaya waterfront, by Cpl. Pepple Boma, who was attached to the Task force unit overseeing the exercise.

Falana, who described the killing as "illegal and unconstitutional", blamed the state government for Agbe's death and the destruction of properties in the coastal community.

"As the unlawful killing and the wilful destruction of properties were carried out on the directive of the Lagos State Government, the latter should be held vicariously liable in the circumstance," he said.

He also called for the adequate compensation of the deceased's family, including other persons affected by the demolition exercise.

"The Lagos State Government should pay adequate monetary damages to the dependants of the deceased whose fundamental right to life has been brutally violated," he said.

"Similarly all those whose houses have been destroyed by the government are equally entitled to compensation that is fair and just."

The State Police Command had earlier announced Boma's arrest, saying investigation had commenced into the killing.

However, Falana asked that the accused be prosecuted for murder.

Also, according to him, the state government acted illegally by engaging in the demolition of shanties and structures in the community without a court order.

"This is a reckless violation of the provisions of the Lagos State Rent Control and Recovery of Premises which have criminalised the forceful ejection of any person resident in Lagos State without an order issued by a competent court and executed by the Sheriff and Bailiff of the court," he said.

He, however, called for the immediate end to the ongoing demolition exercise and the eviction of the residents, saying it would have far-reaching consequences.

Falana said that the mass displacement of the residents had led to the "disruption of the education of thousands of innocent children."

afam4eva: If Goodluck Jonathan can be blamed for his incompetent then i see no reason why Fashola should not be blamed for this gruesome murder.

aweaweawe: fashola na Bleep up guy nw,am not sure if acn is going to win lagos in 2015.pdp should get ready to take over.

aweaweawe: fashola na Bleep up guy nw,am not sure if acn is going to win lagos in 2015.pdp should get ready to take over.

afam4eva: If Goodluck Jonathan can be blamed for some men's inability to perform in bed then i see no reason why Fashola should not be blamed for this gruesome murder.

aweaweawe: fashola na Bleep up guy nw,am not sure if acn is going to win lagos in 2015.pdp should get ready to take over.

DICKtator: @Okija
U typed what I was thinking
He worked tirelessly to become a SAN.
I thot he wld relax a lil b4 talking about the ever changing 9ja polity but short people neva live below their expectations(no pun intended). Ask Oshiomole.
But to address the issue of Fashola's responsibility, he is not actually responsible for the actions of his surbodinates, mefink it is the Lagos State Govt that is accountable/responsible for such action.
It is the LASG that shld be charged to court
There are some exceptions though.........

timmy1999: Fashola shld be impeaching for commiting a crime against humanity..you demotion pple houses without any provision for resettlement or compensation..and u say u be SAN..senior agbepo of nigeria..fashola must go..

timmy1999: Fashola shld be impeaching for commiting a crime against humanity..you demotion pple houses without any provision for resettlement or compensation..and u say u be SAN..senior agbepo of nigeria..fashola must go..

jackbauersballs: Why is Falana talking like an uneducated shymmex?

Why should the Government compensate these people for the demolition of their ILLEGAL structures?

The Guy that was shot was most likely resisting the police based on his 'position' as 'chief'.

And how on earth can you blame Fashola? Did he pull the trigger? or Was it a 'hit'

Falana get real!

timmy1999: Fashola shld be impeaching for commiting a crime against humanity..you demotion pple houses without any provision for resettlement or compensation..and u say u be SAN..senior agbepo of nigeria..fashola must go..

jackbauersballs: Why is Falana talking like an uneducated shymmex?

Why should the Government compensate these people for the demolition of their ILLEGAL structures?

The Guy that was shot was most likely resisting the police based on his 'position' as 'chief'.

And how on earth can you blame Fashola? Did he pull the trigger? or Was it a 'hit'

Falana get real!

Okija_juju: Whats that Yoruba SAN saying this time around?!

I would have thought that being a SAN would shut him up!!

How is Fashola responsible for the murder?! Is he incharge of the NPF abi na him pull the trigger?!

Okija_juju: Whats that Yoruba SAN saying this time around?!

I would have thought that being a SAN would shut him up!!

How is Fashola responsible for the murder?! Is he incharge of the NPF abi na him pull the trigger?!

"As the unlawful killing and the wilful destruction of properties were carried out on the directive of the Lagos State Government, the latter should be held vicariously liable in the circumstance," he said.

jackbauersballs: Why is Falana talking like an uneducated shymmex?

Why should the Government compensate these people for the demolition of their ILLEGAL structures?

The Guy that was shot was most likely resisting the police based on his 'position' as 'chief'.

And how on earth can you blame Fashola? Did he pull the trigger? or Was it a 'hit'

Falana get real!

whealthy: Falana said "vicariously liable"... It is a principle of law in which the master is held to be jointly or severally responsible for the acts of his servant in a master servant relationship, once the act that injures the victim falls within the duty delegated to the servant.. For instance, your sErvant drives and knocks down a person, the person can sue you or your driver or both of your for compensation.
In this case, Fashola delegated duty to demolish to the police, so MIGHT be vicariously liable, however this is to be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Also, Fashola can argue that he is not vicariously liable as the relationship is not that of a master/servant which is usually mostly based on not only delegatin duty, but tellin them how to do it.
The court would be the final destination