The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry investigating cases of brutality and human rights abuses by the Police and its disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has completed the task assigned to it by the government.
Panel Chair, Justice Doris Okuwobi disclosed that its long-awaited report of the October 20, 2020 Lekki Tollgate ‘shootings’ is being prepared
She said the investigation of the incident, including the taking of evidence and exhibits, had been completed.
She assured petitioners that the panel’s recommendations would include compensation to victims, if any, of the Lekki Tollgate incident.
Police victims of the violence, if any, would also be recommended for compensation, Justice Okuwobi assured.
Untreated or unconcluded petitions, she added, will be sent to the supervising Lagos State Ministry of Justice which may set up a human rights body to handle them.
On October 19, 2020, the Lagos State Government inaugurated a nine-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate cases of brutality and human rights violations perpetrated by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force and the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The panel was a response to one of the demands of youth during the #EndSARS protests, which is investigating cases of police brutality and providing restitution to the victims.
