The #EndSARS panel set up by Benue State Government on Thursday recommended N304,535,095.85 to be paid as compensation to the various categories of victims of police brutality in the state.
This was contained in a report submitted by the chairman of the panel and a former Chief Judge of the state, Justice Adam Onum.
The report was received by the Deputy Governor of the state, Engr Benson Abounu.
In the report, the panel recommended to the Attorney-General of the state that various police officers should undergo discreet investigations with a view to prosecuting them for respective crimes and conducts.
Onum disclosed that the panel received 72 petitions, noting that some were dismissed and withdrawn.
He observed that in the course of investigations, the panel discovered different levels of police brutality. He narrated an instance where some persons were brutally murdered by the police in cold blood, leaving families without respective heads and breadwinners.
Retired Justice Onum said: “There were some persons who died in police custody, owing to complications arising from torture and/or other forms of abuse of police powers, including unwarranted denial of rights to bail.
“Where some persons suffered grievous bodily hurts, or non-grievous bodily hurts, as defined under law, in the hands of the police.
“Where some items of property were destroyed by the police or unjustly seized and confiscated by the police;
“Where persons were subjected to intimidation, with the sole aim of extorting money from them;
“Where the police took advantage of its privileged position to refuse to obey judicial orders, particularly over breaches of fundamental rights,” he stated.
Receiving the report, the deputy governor said the state government will hand over the report to the Federal Government who had given them the mandate to set up the panel.
Abounu said the state government expects a quick action from the federal authorities in dealing with security agencies especially the police for acts of brutality on citizens.
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