The Bayelsa State Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up to investigate cases of police brutality during the #EndSARS protests has awarded N21 billion in compensation to victims and affected communities.
Chairman of the panel, Young Ogola, disclosed this while submitting the panel’s report to the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri.
The panel was inaugurated on October 28, 2020, following the nationwide #EndSARS protests, which triggered demands for accountability over alleged police brutality and other human rights violations.
Ogola said the panel received and determined 50 petitions, with recommendations made after considering the evidence and circumstances surrounding the cases.
He said 11 police officers were recommended for prosecution, while one officer was recommended for dismissal and four others for demotion.
According to him, eight petitions were struck out, while two cases were adjourned.
The chairman explained that the N21 billion awarded as damages arose from 40 cases that were fully determined by the panel.
He added that the compensation also covered communities affected by alleged destruction caused by the military.
Receiving the report on behalf of Governor Diri, Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo commended the panel for what he described as a thorough exercise and said the government would constitute a committee to study the report and work towards implementing its recommendations.
Ewhrudjakpo said the state government would explore available resources and procedures to provide relief to the victims and their families.
“Although no amount of compensation can bring back some of the deceased, the compensation will ameliorate the suffering of the victims and families caused by the excesses of misguided security agents,” he said.
The deputy governor acknowledged the difficult responsibility faced by security agencies in protecting lives and property but stressed that such duties must be performed within the limits of the law and respect for citizens’ rights.
He said the panel’s mandate was to investigate allegations of injustice and human rights violations and make recommendations on how security agencies could discharge their responsibilities more professionally.
“The panel was set up to get to the root of injustice, violation of human rights and the best way with which police and other security agencies in the country will discharge their duties professionally with a human face,” he said.
On the N21 billion award, Ewhrudjakpo said the government would examine the recommendations while recognising the practical challenges involved in securing payment from the relevant security agencies.
“The issues you have raised will be looked into. The N21 billion awarded is appropriate, but for the security agencies to pay is another thing,” he said.
He added that the government would work within its available resources and established procedures to ensure that the victims received some form of relief.
“We will, within the limits of available resources and procedures, see how these victims will get a reprieve,” he said.
Ewhrudjakpo further urged law enforcement personnel to balance their responsibility to protect lives and property with the obligation to respect the fundamental rights of citizens.
“While the law enforcement agencies have every day to protect lives and property, they also have a duty to do that within the confines of responsibility and protection of human rights of all citizens,” he said.
