As we move to end police brutality, by virtue of Section 5 of Tribunals of Inquiry Law, Laws of Lagos State, 2015, I inaugurated an 8-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution which will receive and investigate complaints of police brutality in Lagos.
The panel will in the next 24 hours be joined by 2 youth representatives and a member of the National Human Rights Commission as we look to provide restitution while following due process.
In Lagos, beyond setting up this panel which we hope will serve as a representation of our broader interests, we have established a N200 million fund for compensation to families and individuals who have been victimized by officers of the disbanded SARS.
Orderly room trials of erring policemen resulting in dismissals, demotions and more severe punishment for human rights violations have begun.
We have also started engaging with protesters and all sides affected in all this.
We have witnessed the protests of our youth against police brutality. The pain of this generation has been felt in various parts of our state and country, as well as in the diaspora, all speaking with one voice against the unbridled violation of their rights and lives
I am on the side of the young people out there. I understand your pain and I know your concerns are legitimate.
I must reiterate that while we were able to immediately acquiesce to some of your demands, some will require time: we ask you to bear with us as we work on them.
I will like to renew my appeal to you to suspend the protests and create an atmosphere for the resolution of all pending demands.
I encourage everyone brutalized by the disbanded SARS including the families of those who have died to present their cases before this Panel.
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I address you today with a heavy heart as your Governor. I do so as a father and a brother. I do so as one who is touched by the infirmities and feelings of his people. I do so as a part of the collective humanity that we all share.
Yesterday’s events were no doubt some of the darkest gradients of our history as a State and as a people. As you are perhaps aware, I have been engaging the #EndSARS protesters since Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 October 2020 respectively.
We were making progress together though the pace was slow due to lack of an acceptable leadership amongst the #EndSARS protesters.
This is the toughest night of our lives as forces beyond our direct control have moved to make dark notes in our history, but we will face it and come out stronger.
I've just concluded visits to hospitals with victims of this unfortunate shooting incident at Lekki .
It has taken me this long to make a statement because I have to prioritize the welfare of the victims of this very sad incident.
There are currently 10 patients at the Gen Hospital, 11 at Reddington and 4 at Vedic; with mild to moderate levels of injuries while 2 are receiving intensive medical care.
3 patients have been discharged & we will continue to monitor and ensure all patients get the best care.
For the clarification of the general public and in view of the inauguration of The Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution into SARS Abuses happening tomorrow, I want to put out the terms of reference of the panel.
The ToR are essentially the following...
To listen to & take evidence from all victims or the families of victims of SARS abuse within Lagos State (somewhat akin to what the Truth and Reconciliation Committee did in some countries). This would enable all victims & their families air and vent their grievances in public.
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 payable.
After meetings with the President, IGP, Lagos CP and the NGF today, I will like to sòrò soke about what we are immediately doing in Lagos to build trust, #EndPoliceBrutality and ensure we don't have to address these issues again.
It's a time of sober reflection in Lagos and indeed across the country. It has taken a powerful youth led action to drive reform and hopefully begin the process that truly delivers a citizen friendly police. I just had a press briefing and I will like to share some points here.
1. Panel of Enquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS In Lagos: We have setup a 7 man panel that will ensure that all those with verifiable cases of SARS brutality or fatality receive compensation. The Panel will be chaired by retired Justice Doris Okuwobi.
I come back from Abuja with news that I believe will lead to concrete steps to #EndPoliceBrutality.
I met with the IGP. Starting from this week, a panel will be setup comprising of citizens to look at all cases of abuse by the police around the country.
SARS officials have immediately been asked to leave the streets around the country following their disbandment and return to police headquarters for debriefing and psychological examination.
A deep look at their activities will commence. The work will be exhaustive so prepare to submit your queries within the parameters they will share.
I was at the venue of one of the #EndSARS protests today. The safety of everyone involved in peaceful protests across Lagos is important and communicating with the CP, this is what we want to guarantee on all sides.
Tomorrow, I will be meeting with HE Pres. @MBuhari in Abuja.
As a servant of the people, my job is to listen and do everything within my power to act while managing the nature of the problems our people are protesting against. I am proud of our youth and the courage they are displaying in articulating their grievances.
I identify wholeheartedly with the #EndSARS campaign as it touches the essence of democratic freedom.
Citizens must never be denied the right to protest and your voices have been heard.