Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu virtually met with most of the lingering demands of #EndSARS protesters by reeling out the concessions his government has made at a press conference on Thursday.
In compliance with a directive of the National Economic Council, Sanwo-Olu announced the establishment of a judicial panel to investigate SARS and police brutality and rights violations.
As demanded by the protesters, Sanwo-Olu also named the trigger happy policemen who killed a protester in Surulere on Tuesday. He said the men are already facing orderly room trial in Lagos.
He also said his government has set up a N200million Fund, to compensate victims of police brutality.
And he urged protesters to embrace peace and dialogue.
According to the governor, a seven-man Judicial Panel of Enquiry and Restitution has been set up to investigate cases of brutality and human rights violations committed by operatives of the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the State.
The move is part of the steps being taken by Lagos Government to address the five-point demands of the youth demonstrating against SARS brutality.
Sanwo-Olu made the announcement during a live address held at the State House, Marina.
The panel, which is being headed by retired Justice Doris Okuwobi, will sit for six months and is mandated to thoroughly investigate all verifiable claims of abuses and fatalities arising from SARS engagement in the State, with the objective to bring erring officers to justice and get compensation for the victims.
The panel members has three individuals representing Civil Society, one person representing security agency and one person representing the Government.
Human Rights Commission and protesters are also expected to nominate their representatives, before the panel commences sitting next week.
The Governor also set aside N200 million Trust Fund for the compensation of victims and families of those who died in the course of SARS’ activities.
The developments, Sanwo-Olu said, were part of the agreements reached at the Thursday meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) presided over by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and which had all Governors in attendance.
The Governor said: “I attended a National Economic Council Sub-Committee Meeting in which the major focus was the ongoing EndSARS protests and the necessary steps to take to assuage the feelings of the protesters. In line with the five-point demands of the protesters, we unanimously decided to inaugurate a panel of investigation into human rights abuses.
“A seven-member Judicial Panel of Enquiry and Restitution for victims of SARS-related abuses in Lagos State is now being constituted. This panel will ensure that all those with verifiable cases of SARS brutality or fatality get justice and receive compensation. The panel will be chaired by retired Justice Doris Okuwobi.
“Other panel members are Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN (representing the Civil Society), Taiwo Lakanu (a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police), Ms Patience Udoh (representing the Civil Society), Mr. Segun Awosanya (Human Rights Activist), Mrs. Olutoyin Odusanya (Director, Lagos Citizens Mediation Center), as well as a representative of the youth-led protest and a representative of the Human Rights Commission.”
The State Government, Sanwo-Olu said, has set up a help desk for the public complaints and petitions to the panel. Lagos residents, who have petitions against SARS, can reach the help desk on the numbers: 0901 051 3203, 0901 051 3204 and 0901 051 3205.
