The Ebonyi State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and human rights violations has recommended the sum of N189 million to be paid as compensation to victims of the EndSARS mayhem.
The Panel Chairman and the former chief judge of Ebonyi State, Justice Aloy Nwankwo disclosed this yesterday while submitting the panel report to Governor, Dave Umahi at the State Executive Council Chambers, in Old Government House Abakaliki.
Nwankwo noted that officers of the security agencies who were involved in extra Judicial killings, brutality, and other forms of violation of fundamental human rights and related issues were recommended for sanctions.
According to him, in cases of extra-judicial killings, uniform compensation was recommended while in other cases of brutality, compensation was made based on peculiarities of such cases.
He pointed out that in matters where judgement has already been given by courts, the panel recommended the enforcement of the court judgement.
Justice Nwankwo said that 71 petitions were received by the panel out of which 51 were determined.
He noted that 20 of the petitions were either struck out, abandoned, or withdrawn by the petitioners for want of deligent prosecution adding that petitions that were found to be pending in court were also struck out as the panel do not have the power to go into such matters.
Nwankwo stated that petitions that were found to be unmeritorious and viewed as gold-digging were dismissed while recommendations were made in deserving cases to serve as deterrents to others.
He stated that the panel had its inaugural sitting on the 2nd of November 2020 and parties involved were invited for a hearing.
Justice Nwankwo advised that recommendations made in each of the cases contained in the detailed report be fully implemented as it will assuage the feelings of those who lost their loved ones and bring relief to victims of security brutalities.
The Panel Chairman further advised for an establishment of a permanent panel of Inquiry or tribunal on cases of human rights violations and brutalities by security agencies.
Responding, the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi thanked the panel and assured that the State Government will look into all the recommendations.
Source: Nigerian Tribune
