#EndSARS: Bayelsa Panel Awards N21bn To Victims Of Police Brutality

The Bayelsa judicial panel has awarded N21 billion as
compensation to victims of police brutality.

The panel was inaugurated on October 28, 2020 after the #EndSARS
nationwide protests.

Young Ogola, chairman of the panel, while submitting the report
to Douye Diri, the governor, said the panel received and determined
50 petitions and made recommendations based on their findings.

Out of the 50 cases, he said 11 police officers were recommended
for prosecution, one for dismissal, four for demotion, while eight
cases were struck out and two adjourned.

The chairman said the N21bn was awarded as damages out of the 40
cases fully determined, adding that the amount included
compensation to communities razed by the army.

Receiving the report, the governor thanked the panel for doing a
thorough job and promised to set up a government committee to look
into the report with a view to implementing its
recommendations.

The governor, who was represented by Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, his
deputy, said his government would look for ways to bring relief to
the victims and families within available resources.

“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.

While acknowledging the enormous task of the security agencies
to secure lives and property, Diri called on security personnel to
act within the confines of the law.

“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.

“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.

“We will, within the limits of available resources and
procedures, see how these victims will get a reprieve.

“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.”

The Bayelsa judicial panel has awarded N21 billion as
compensation to victims of police brutality.

The panel was inaugurated on October 28, 2020 after the #EndSARS
nationwide protests.

Young Ogola, chairman of the panel, while submitting the report
to Douye Diri, the governor, said the panel received and determined
50 petitions and made recommendations based on their findings.

Out of the 50 cases, he said 11 police officers were recommended
for prosecution, one for dismissal, four for demotion, while eight
cases were struck out and two adjourned.

The chairman said the N21bn was awarded as damages out of the 40
cases fully determined, adding that the amount included
compensation to communities razed by the army.

Receiving the report, the governor thanked the panel for doing a
thorough job and promised to set up a government committee to look
into the report with a view to implementing its
recommendations.

The governor, who was represented by Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, his
deputy, said his government would look for ways to bring relief to
the victims and families within available resources.

“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.

While acknowledging the enormous task of the security agencies
to secure lives and property, Diri called on security personnel to
act within the confines of the law.

“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.

“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.

“We will, within the limits of available resources and
procedures, see how these victims will get a reprieve.

“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.”