DSS invasion of court, reasons I shunned Soyinka’s award on justice reform

Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has given two reasons why he
was absent at the Prof. Wole Soyinka’s 2019 anti-corruption
defender award.
The event was organised by the Wole Soyinka Centre for
Investigative Journalism.
Osinbajo, who was absent at the event, was recognized and
awarded the Integrity Specialty of the Wole Soyinka Centre for
Investigative Journalism’s Anti-corruption Defender.
However, the Vice President cited the issues surrounding the
invasion of the Federal High Court and the re-arrest of
SarahaReporters Publisher, Omoyele Sowore as one of the
reasons he shunned the event.
Given his reasons for being absent in a statement made available
to DAILY POST on Monday by his Spokesman, Laolu Akande,
Osinbajo said, “I am extremely grateful for the recognition and
award of the “Integrity Specialty of the Wole Soyinka Centre for
Investigative Journalism’s Anti-corruption Defender Award of
2019” to me.
“The award, I note, is for our Justice reform efforts in Lagos State.
I had accepted the award with pride on behalf of the excellent
Justice Sector team we had.
“However, two reasons explain my absence. First is that I am
currently in Abu Dhabi for an international meeting under the
auspices of the government of the UAE where I am the keynote
speaker.
“Second, in view of the developments on Friday in the Sowore
case, I think it would be insensitive and inappropriate to attend
the ceremony.
“Please accept my heartfelt apologies and extend the same to the
other members of the organizing team. God bless you.”