#EndSARS: Lagos Panel Gets Another 3-Month Extension, To Continue Till October 19

The Lagos state judicial panel on police brutality, better known
as #EndSARS panel, has been granted additional three months to
continue with its mandate.

Doris Okuwobi, chairperson of the panel, announced the extension
at the sitting on Saturday.

This is the second time a three-month extension will be granted
to the panel which is saddled with ensuring that justice is served
for victims of police brutality in Lagos state.

In October 2020, many Nigerians took to the streets to
demonstrate against police brutality under the #EndSARS
campaign.

The demands led to the disbandment of the special anti-robbery
squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police Force.

On October 19, 2020, the Lagos state government set up the
judicial panel of inquiry and restitution to investigate cases of
human rights abuses by operatives of the now-disbanded SARS and
other security agencies.

This was sequel to the directive of the national economic
council (NEC) that mandated states to set up panels to investigate
police brutality in the wake of the #EndSARS protests.

The Lagos state judicial panel was given a mandate of six months
to hear petitions submitted by members of the public, while a total
of N200 million was earmarked as compensation.

The panel’s sitting ought to have ended on April 19, but was
extended by three months till July 19.

At its sitting on Saturday, Okuwobi said the panel has been
granted additional three months for hearing of petitions.

She said cases tabled before the panel will be heard until
October 19, 2021.

“Today is not the last day. We now have an extension till
October 19. The tenure is continuous,” she said.

The Lagos state judicial panel on police brutality, better known
as #EndSARS panel, has been granted additional three months to
continue with its mandate.

Doris Okuwobi, chairperson of the panel, announced the extension
at the sitting on Saturday.

This is the second time a three-month extension will be granted
to the panel which is saddled with ensuring that justice is served
for victims of police brutality in Lagos state.

In October 2020, many Nigerians took to the streets to
demonstrate against police brutality under the #EndSARS
campaign.

The demands led to the disbandment of the special anti-robbery
squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police Force.

On October 19, 2020, the Lagos state government set up the
judicial panel of inquiry and restitution to investigate cases of
human rights abuses by operatives of the now-disbanded SARS and
other security agencies.

This was sequel to the directive of the national economic
council (NEC) that mandated states to set up panels to investigate
police brutality in the wake of the #EndSARS protests.

The Lagos state judicial panel was given a mandate of six months
to hear petitions submitted by members of the public, while a total
of N200 million was earmarked as compensation.

The panel’s sitting ought to have ended on April 19, but was
extended by three months till July 19.

At its sitting on Saturday, Okuwobi said the panel has been
granted additional three months for hearing of petitions.

She said cases tabled before the panel will be heard until
October 19, 2021.

“Today is not the last day. We now have an extension till
October 19. The tenure is continuous,” she said.