On Monday, October 19, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu inaugurated an eight man judicial panel to investigate the cases of brutality displayed by the operatives of the Special Anti- Robbery squad.
Members of the panel will include Ebun Adegboruwa SAN, a human rights activist who will be representing the civil society, Taiwo Lakani who is a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Miss Patience Udoh who is also to represent the civil society in the panel, EndSARS campaigner, Segun Awosanya aka Segalinks and Mrs. Toyin Odusanya, a director in the Lagos Citizen Mediator Center.
Retired Justice Doris Okuwobi, is heading the panel and the panel is permitted to operate for six months.
The panel’s assignment includes
-To listen & take evidence from all victims or the families of victims of SARS abuse within Lagos State (Like a Truth and Reconciliation Committee did in some countries) this would enable all victims and their families air and vent their grievances in public.
-The Judicial Panel after listening to victims or their families would then determine whether any victim or the dependents of such victims are entitled to compensation and the amount of compensation
-Upon determining the compensation payable the Judicial Panel is to immediately issue a cheque in favor of the victim or their dependents.
-The Judicial Panel is also to determine the officers (or anyone for that matter) responsible for abusing any victim and to recommend the prosecution of such persons
-The Judicial Panel shall also have powers to make recommendations to the Government on how to ensure that the Police and all security agencies never abuse the rights of citizens again.
