NEWS
NBA Commends Report Of Lagos Judicial Panel On #EndSARS
Commendation
The Benin branch of the Nigerian Bar Association on Wednesday commended the Lagos State Judicial Panel on #EndSARS for its timely report after the inquiry into the 2020 protests.
The Bar expressed its commendation in a statement signed respectively by its Chairman and Secretary, Messrs Pius Oiwoh and Andrew Lawani.
It extended its commendation to lawyers who provided free legal services to victims, adding that the Bar was delighted to stand by the unrivalled finding of facts determined by the panel.
Lagos State Judicial Panel on #EndSARS submitted its report to the Lagos State Government on Nov. 15.
The panel was inaugurated on Oct. 19, 2020 to look into citizens’ complaints of rights abuses by operatives of the police Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
Following the fracas at the Lekki toll gate on Oct. 20, 2020 between protesters and security operatives, the terms of reference of the panel was expanded to cover the imbroglio.
The panel, led by Justice Doris Okuwobi, sat for more than one year, listening to testimonies of petitioners, witnesses, experts, and lawyers.
The NBA in its statement on Wednesday described the report of the panel as a job well done.
“The NBA Benin Bar welcomes the report of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on restitution for victims of SARS-related abuses and other matters.
“We salute the retired Justice Doris Okuwobi-led panel for the courage, activism and doggedness which it displayed in coming up with an all-encompassing report.
“Members of the panel have written their names in gold.
“We also extend special commendation to our colleagues who appeared for many of the victims and many of them did this on pro-bono terms; they have displayed the finest traditions for which the Bar is known.
“The Lagos panel has made far-reaching findings and recommendations which enjoy wide acceptance.
“We hope the panel set up by the governor of Lagos State will come up with a Whitepaper speedily so as to give effect to the recommendations of the panel.
“We hope also that the content of the Lagos report would serve as a lesson to all,’’ it stated.
The Bar also advised other states who had set up such panels to make their reports public to engender public confidence.
The sittings of the panel, it announced that it would divide its assignment and report, into two principal segments.
The reports it stated would cover general cases of police abuses and the special case of the Lekki Toll Gate incident.
During the proceedings, compensations were paid to deserving cases of police abuses while a special case was made for victims of the Lekki Toll Gate incident of Oct. 20, 2020.
Lagos Shuts Church After Resident Complains of Sleepless Nights, Threats
Omo-Agege Alleges Thugs Attacked NDC Campaigners In Asaba, Demands Arrest Of Organiser
Gidan Taba Massacre: Bandits Burnt Family Of 12 Alive After They Locked Door To Escape Abduction In Zamfara
Three Killed, Seven Injured in Two Separate Road Crashes in Ogun
EFCC Boss To Churches: Reject Stolen Donations Like Adeboye Did
One Dead, Five Injured As Obedient/OK Rally For NDC Candidate Turns Violent In Asaba
NUJ: No Journalist Arrested Under Oborevwori, Names Him Media-Friendly Governor Of The Year
2027: ‘I Have Seen The Light’ — Okowa Dumps Atiku, Backs Tinubu In Port Harcourt
‘We’d Need Wheelbarrows to Buy Tomatoes’ – Tinubu Defends Economic Reforms
Court Jails 10 Men for Selling Substandard Diesel in Delta
Lagos Police Detain ASP Over Fatal Shooting of Young Girl in Ajegunle
Abia Police Arrest Uratta Attack Suspects, Rescue 10 Stolen Children, Recover 15 Guns
Justice Abba-Aji: US Banned Supreme Court Panel Over Imo Election That Made Uzodimma Governor
Delta Police Arrest 3 Suspected Cultists, Robbers in Agbarho, Oghara, Recover 6 Guns
Navy Rescues Bayelsa Commissioner, 6 Others After Boat Mishap; Police Officer Missing
