Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, today inaugurated the State Judicial Panel of Enquiry and Restitution to investigate cases of brutality and human rights violations committed by operatives of the dissolved Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS.
The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Media, Gawat Jubril revealed this in a statement.
According to Gawat, the panel is presently awaiting the names of the two representatives of the youth today.
He said: "The Judicial Panel has eight members, chaired by Rtd.Hon. Justice Doris Okuwobi. Because this is a Judicial Panel, it is necessary to have someone with judicial experience chair the Panel in order to ensure that all the tenets of due process and fair hearing are adhered to."
According to him, other members represent the human rights community and the Police. Whilst every other member is nominated by Government, our youths have been given the opportunity to independently choose and nominate their two representatives to the Judicial Panel (we are waiting). The panel will be charged with the following tasks.
1. To listen and 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.
2. 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
3. Upon determining the compensation payable, the Judicial Panel is to immediately issue a cheque in favour of the victim or their dependents.
4. 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.
5. The Judicial Panel shall also have powers to make recommendations to Government on how to ensure that the Police and all security agencies never abuse the rights of citizens again.
Governor Sanwo-Olu once again says he is on the side of the young people. He says the creation of this panel is also one of the requests of the youths, compensation for victims also, which has shown the sincerity of Lagos State Government on this matter.
Governor Sanwo-Olu announced the Panel’s contact details to send issues of SARS brutality in Lagos State: judicialpanelonsars@lagosstate.gov.ng. Phone: judicial numbers: 0901 051 3203, 0901 051 3204 and 0901 051 3205.
The governor, Gawat says, "appeals to the youth to send in two representatives for the panel."