Extra Judicial Killings: Panel Recommends Compensation For Family Of Slain Delta ex-Guber Aspirant, Onokpite

The family of late Ogbe Onokpite, a one time governorship aspirant in Delta state, killed extra-judicially by the police in cold-blood nine years ago, may be getting justice.

This is coming as the Delta State Judicial Panel on Police Brutality and Extra Judicial killings on Tuesday ruled that the family deserves to be compensated having suffered the unjustly murder of their breadwinner by policemen.

Chairman of the panel, Justice Celestina Ogisi (rtd) gave the ruling at the end of submissions by Mr. Odiana Eriata, counsel to the petitioner and Ben Onokpite, younger brother of the deceased.

The petitioner had, in his affidavits, said the police unjustly killed his brother, planted two Ak 47 rifles and labeled him a gun runner.

According to him, following sustained outcry by the family and several law suits in courts, the police admitted killing late Onokpite and tendered police report on the incident which the panel admitted as exhibit along with several other exhibits which the police lawyer did not opposed.

Ruling on the matter, justice Ogisi (rtd) said the panel will recommend adequate compensation to the relations of the deceased.

Counsel to the petitioner, Mr. Odiana Eriata told journalists that he was satisfied by the decision of the panel noting that justice has come at last for late Onokpite.

He said the family will await the recommendations of the panel while pursing the prosecution of the five police officers involved the unjust murder of the deceased.

The head of Onokpite family, Chief Victor Onokpite also expressed satisfaction with the decision of the panel and thanked the Federal and Delta State Governments for setting up the panel to get justice for those illegality killed by the police.

Ogbe Onokpite, then 38 years and a former governorship aspirant of the Citizens Peoples Party (CPP) in Delta State was murdered by the police operatives at Beeland Hotel, Orhuwhorun in Udu Local Government area of the state in 2011.

The killing attracted widespread condemnations across the state and was viewed as politically motivated. He was however buried two years after he was killed.

This story was contributed by Sylvester Idowu