~ As CSOs raise alarm
Esindu Jacobs
Seven months after, Anambra State government is yet to pay the victims of families of EndSARS 699.5 million naira recommended by the Panel of Enquiry over Police brutality in the State.
As a result, the the Civil Society Organizations CSOs, have raised the alarm over the delay in implementing the panel of enquiry’s report, submitted to the government over seven months ago.
The State government constituted a Panel made up of over 35 major stakeholders cutting across sundry interests, as directed by the federal government after the nationwide protests by the youth that shook the entire country in 2020
The Panel received over 300 petitions and made recommendations in a report submitted to the State Government.
Part of the recommendations by the Panel, headed by Justice Veronica Umeh were that N699.5million for 170 petitioners, Victims with permanent deformities were to be paid between N1million and N3million, depending on the extent of their injuries.
“Those with minor injuries should receive between N400,000 and N1million, All #EndSARS policemen found culpable to be prosecuted even as all officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force would be going on annual psychological examination, among others
The Panel’s report was received by the Secretary to the State government, Prof Solo Chukwulobelu on behalf of the governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo .
According to the SSG, “We will study the report and make necessary recommendations. Rest assured that the incoming government will work with the outgoing government”
However, the Anambra State Civil Society Network ASCONET, led by Comrade Chris Azor, said yesterday that instead of implementing the recommendations, the government set up what it called Truth, Justice and Peace Commission again.
According to him, the Commission was headed by Prof Chidi Odinkalu and Ambassador Bianca Odimegwu Ojukwu as Chairman and Secretary respectively, and he asked why?
Azor, who was a member of the EndSARS Panel, therefore, urged Soludo to act upon the EndSars Judicial Panel of inquiry report submitted in March , 2022.
“The panel submitted its report to the State Government on Tuesday, 15th March, 2022 at the Government House, Awka.
“The State Government in its effort to address security challenges in the State should, as a first step act on the report to ameliorate the various injuries suffered by victims and their families.
“This should be fundamental towards achieving desired peace and security in the State and indeed the Southeast region” Azor said
