Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has inaugurated a 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) in the State.

Sanwo-Olu made the announcement on Thursday October 15 while briefing state house correspondents at the Lagos House in Marina. The move is part of the steps being taken by the Lagos Government to address the five-point demands of the youths demonstrating against SARS brutality.

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. pic.twitter.com/g0wt3dHcu0

— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 15, 2020

The seven-man panel, which is being headed by retired Justice Doris Okuwobi, will meet for six months and is mandated to thoroughly investigate all verifiable claims of abuses and fatalities arising from SARS engagement in the State, with the objective to bring erring officers to justice and get compensation for the victims.

The panel members have three individuals representing Civil Society, one person representing a security agency, and one person representing the Government. Human Rights Commission and protesters are also expected to nominate their representatives before the panel commences sitting next week.

The Governor also set aside N200 million Trust Fund for the compensation of victims and families of those who died in the course of SARS’ activities.

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.

— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 15, 2020

The developments, Sanwo-Olu said, were part of the agreements reached at the Thursday meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) presided over by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and which had all Governors in attendance.

He also revealed other panel members as “Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN (representing the Civil Society), Taiwo Lakanu (a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police), Ms. Patience Udoh (representing the Civil Society), Mr. Segun Awosanya (Human Rights Activist), Mrs. Olutoyin Odusanya (Director, Lagos Citizens Mediation Center), as well as a representative of the youth-led protest and a representative of the Human Rights Commission.”

…Mrs. Olutoyin Odusanya (Director, Citizens Mediation Center); as well as a rep/member of the youth-led protest and a representative of the Human Rights Commission.

— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 15, 2020

…Mrs. Olutoyin Odusanya (Director, Citizens Mediation Center); as well as a rep/member of the youth-led protest and a representative of the Human Rights Commission.

— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 15, 2020

3. SARS: By order of the IGP, all members have been recalled to force headquarters. They will receive psychological examinations and a full review of their records.

— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 15, 2020

4. New unit responsibilities: The new unit will be fully intelligence driven and will not be engaged in routine searches or violate any citizen's rights to personal freedom. The police will announce criteria for the makeup of the unit or public recruitments involving the youth.

— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 15, 2020

The State Government, Sanwo-Olu said, has set up a help desk for the public complaints and petitions to the panel. Lagos residents, who have petitioned against SARS, can reach the help desk on the numbers: 0901 051 3203, 0901 051 3204, and 0901 051 3205.

The Governor said his Government frowned at police misconduct seriously and would continue to respect the rights of the citizens to demonstrate peacefully. He condemned the violence that marred the EndSARS protest in Surulere on Monday.

6. Compensation for victims of police brutality: No amount of money can make up for their experiences but in Lagos, we have setup a N200m trust fund that will be managed by the panel set up to compensate victims of police brutality.

— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 15, 2020

Sanwo-Olu disclosed all the four erring police officers who fired live ammunition at peaceful protesters in Area C Police Command in Surulere had been identified and currently facing an orderly room trial that is being monitored by the Government.

He gave the names of the erring officers to include: Inspector Bagou Michael, Inspector Ekpoudom Etop, Sergeant Nnamdi Majura, and Sergeant Akinyemi Benson.

The officers are; Inspector Bagou Michael; Inspector Ekpoudom Etop; Sgt Nnamdi Majura & Sgt. Akinyemi Benson. They are facing orderly room trials immediately and be rest assured that we will follow up on these trials.

— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 15, 2020

While making reference to the Thursday skirmish at the protest ground in Alausa, the Governor sent a strong warning to hoodlums who may want to harass the protesters to desist from the act. He stressed that the full wrath of the law would be brought on anyone apprehended for such an act.

Sanwo-Olu, however, appealed to the protesters to acknowledge the progress being made on their demands and respond in good faith. He said the State had started to record incidents of breakdown of law and order as a result of the unabated protest.

I want to call on the youth and other groups protesting across the state to receive our outstretched arms, sheath your powerful swords and give us a chance at the Federal and State level, to consolidate on these actions being promptly taken to address your concerns.

— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 15, 2020

He bemoaned the collateral impacts of the protest on the wellbeing of businesses and residents, pointing out that Lagos had recorded fatal medical evacuations as a result of blockage of key roads and gridlock occasioned by the protests.

The Governor reminded the protesters that Lagos had started to witness an increase in daily caseload of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the last couple of days, stressing that the public demonstration could aggravate the health crisis that had been efficiently managed by the State Government.

We are still in a pandemic and as at Wednesday the 14th of October, 2020, Lagos State had recorded a total of 20,394 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Of this number, 16,734 have recovered in community, 968 are currently active in community, and 207 deaths have sadly occurred.

— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 15, 2020

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