EndSARS protesters. (Credit : Premium Times.)
By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Jos – The judicial panel of inquiry on police brutality and other related extra-judicial killings in Plateau state has recommended the sum of N152 million as compensation to victims of police brutality in the state.
The judicial panel was an offshoot of the nationwide protest against police brutality popularly known as #EndSARS.
The committee’s report was presented to Governor Simon Lalong on the heels of the negotiations on autonomy to the Judiciary and Legislature in the state.
The State Governor, Simon Lalong said prior to the clamour for implementation of autonomy across the nation, his administration had put in place structures for autonomy and even implemented some aspects which included the establishing of the Judicial Service Commission and the House of Assembly Service Commission which are the administrative fulcrums of the two arms of Government among others.
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Speaking at a dinner and lecture to mark Democracy Day 2021 at the Banquet Hall; New Government House, Little Rayfield; Jos, Lalong said he has directed that all funds accruing to the two arms of Government should immediately be transferred to them as such will continue to be the practice henceforth.
“Based on the arrangement, after every FAAC monthly allocations are received and Internally Generated Revenues ascertained, statutory charges and liabilities will be deducted before each arm of Government are given what belongs to them,” he noted.
The Governor who thanked the Speaker of the House of the Assembly and the Chief Judge for their understanding and cooperation throughout the negotiations, said there is no winner no vanquished and called on Judiciary and Legislative workers unions to ensure they get back to work immediately as anything short will amount to absence from duty which attracts “no work no pay”.
While submitting the final report of the panel to Governor Lalong, Chairman of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality and Other Related Extra Judicial Killings in the State, retired Justice Philomena Lot, said a total of One Hundred and Fifty – Two million naira, (N152,000,000:00) was recommended as compensation for the families of petitioners.
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She disclosed they received over 100 petitions and struck out a few, but had many petitioners appear to make their cases, stressing that careful implementation of their recommendations, especially payment of damages to victims is crucial in dousing tensions.
The Governor assured that the State will implement all the recommendations relating to it and forward those concerning the federal government and its agencies appropriately.
