Osun State Government in Southwest Nigeria has compensated 13 victims of police brutality to the tune of fifty three million, two hundred and ninety thousand Naira only. (N53,290,000.00).
While presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries, Governor Adeboyega Oyetola said the gesture was in compliance with the directive of the Federal Government, as well as the findings of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up to investigate Police Brutality, Human Rights Violations and Related Extra Judicial Killings.
He said the move was a further testament to the commitment of government to peace, justice and the Rule of Law, stressing that the motive was a deliberate quest to redress the wrongs of the past and set the State on the path of healing.
It will be recalled that the Panel which was headed by the retired Judge of the High Court, Justice Akinwale Oladimeji, was charged to look into cases of assault, illegal arrest, killings, brutality and other forms of rights abuse by the officers and men of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police.
This followed the nationwide EndSARS protest and the subsequent allegations and agitations.
Acvording to the Governor, the presentation of the cheques to the victims was a fulfilment of the financial component of the recommendations in adherence to the directive of the Federal Government, saying it had submitted the report of the Panel to the Federal Government.
“The Panel had in its report recommended the sum of N53,290,000 as compensation for the 13 of the 21 cases heard.
“This has further confirmed that our administration is conscious of the fact that no society can truly progress where the reign of injustice, inequality and lawlessness is encouraged to thrive.
“It also confirms our commitment to continuously maintain peace, guarantee the security of lives and property of the citizens and advance the cause of the security agencies through the provision of state-of-the-art security architectures”.
Governor Oyetola appealed to the citizens to continue to be law abiding and always demonstrate the virtues of Omoluabi ethos for which Osun is renowned. He said the state would spare no effort to create ambience of peace and tranquility for the citizens across the State.
“Our decision to pay compensation, which ordinarily is not the responsibility of the State, since the Police is not directly under our control, is a further testament to the commitment of our Administration to peace, and the rule of law.”
Oyetola however said the list of those who secured judgement debts have been passed to the federal government for necessary action, in line with the recommendation of the Panel.
Chairman’s remark
In a remark, the Chairman of the Panel, Justice Akin David Oladimeji commended the Governor for deeming it fit to compensate the victims inspite of the lean purse of the State.
Oladimeji described the gesture as a right step in the right direction, noting that the decision would further register confidence in the minds of the people.
Beneficiaries response
Speaking after the receipt of the cheques, some of the victims expressed profound gratitude for the kind gesture, saying the governor indeed demonstrated that he is a people’s Governor.
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