#endsars Protest: Edo Govt Sets Up Judicial Panel
The Edo state government has set up a 12-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry to unravel circumstances surrounding the #endsars protests in the state.
Secretary to the state government, Osarodion Ogie, in a statement, disclosed that the panel had 90 days to complete the assignment.
According to him, the panel chaired by Hon. Justice Ada Ehigiamusoe, with Mrs. Joyce Ugbodaga as secretary, was set up in response to the yearnings of Nigerian youths, as articulated in the demands of the #endsars protesters.
Other members of the committee include Bishop Feb Idahosa, (Clergy), Francis Osayi, (ASUU), Comrade Osahon Obasuyi (NYC), Prest Aigbokhian (Civil Society), Mrs Uloaku Uzamere (NCWS), Comrade Pius Efofan (NANS), Pius Okpere (#endsars Movement), Comrade Kola Edokpayi (#endsars Movement), Mrs Felicia Monyei (Ministry of Justice) and a representative of security forces.
Ogie said the terms of reference of the panel were “to receive complaints and petitions from the general public, particularly victims or relatives of victims of police brutality and extra-judicial killings, and to recommend measures, including compensation and restitution, investigation and prosecution, as the circumstances warrant.
“To advise on compensation or restitution to the victims, or- where the victim has been killed- to the family of the victim, based on condition which shall be clearly laid out by the Committee. To ensure that compensation is paid within 14 days of the decision to compensate.”
The panel will also recommend and direct the attorney general to immediately prosecute all persons responsible for the various crimes committed; recommend measures to forestall reoccurrences in the future and make any other recommendations to government in furtherance of the mandate of this committee.
The statement further read, “The Panel has been given 90 days to complete this assignment. All hearings will be open to the general public. All interested persons are advised to send their complaints, petitions and suggestions to the committee.
Meanwhile, the #endsars protests in Benin City, Edo state would appear to have been hijacked by other interests, probably including cult groups.
Sources said that some persons had, before the #endsars protest, allegedly dropped a letter without address on the floor of a makeshift duilding opposite the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Edo State Council. In the letter, they stated that since they had been frustrated by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration, they would look out for any slight opportunity to cause a mayhem
Part of the unsigned letter reads: “Obaseki has refused to bring us on board in his government, and we shall look at out for an opportunity to cause a mayhem and make situation tensened (sic) in Benin City and its environs for him to see that we are very useful in the state.”
It was gathered that the hoodlums, in the early hours of on Monday, laid siege around every take-off point of the genuine protesters as they made themselves available as forerunners before the unsuspecting protesters.
The protesters’ (and embedded hoodlums’) first port of call was the Nigeria Correctional Service along Sapele Road in Benin City where they allegedly beat up and disarmed official security agents and released prisoners. Police commissioner in the state, Johnson Kokumo, who spoke to journalists in Benin City, however, said that 16 runaway inmates were rearrested, and 13 others still on the run and being sought by security agents. He also informed that six persons were killed in another mayhem and 35 others critically injured during a protest in Auchi, in the northern part of the state.
The police commissioner, Mr Johnson Kokumo, further disclosed that several persons were arrested, adding that some policemen were injured in the Benin.
Passers-by who failed to shout ” Buhari must Go” were beaten up and their clothes torn while young ladies they considered improperly dressed were heavily embarrassed.
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