Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Victims of police brutality and extra-judicial killings in Abia State have protested the non-payment of the N511 million compensation approved for them by the State Government on the recommendation of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry.
In a petition signed by Dr. Osita Nwabuko and Harrison Ikwue, the victims lamented that while several states had since complied with the Federal Government’s directive to compensate victims of police brutality, Abia State had failed to do so.
Police brutality triggered the 2020 #EndSARS nationwide protests, which culminated in the killing of demonstrators at the Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos. Following public outcry, state governments set up judicial panels to investigate cases of police abuse and recommend compensation.
In Abia, the panel chaired by former Chief Judge, Justice Sunday Imo, with former Solicitor-General Mrs. Uzo Uche Ikonne as Secretary, considered 86 petitions, upheld 46, and recommended N511 million in compensation. The panel submitted its report in July 2021.
Addressing journalists in Umuahia, the victims said they had yet to receive any payment despite the approval.
In a petition addressed to Governor Alex Otti and the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, the victims appealed for the immediate release of the funds to alleviate their suffering.
The petition partly read: “In 2020, when Nigerians were brutalised by the police across the country, the Federal Government directed states to set up panels of inquiry to ascertain the magnitude of the cases for the purpose of compensating victims.”
Dr. Nwabuko, the coordinator of the group, appealed to Governor Otti to “come to their rescue”, noting that Lagos, the FCT, Osun, Ekiti, and Rivers states had already compensated their own victims.
He expressed concern that despite several letters and appeals submitted to various government officials, no action had been taken.
According to him, many of the survivors are currently homeless, sick, or dead, with some deceased victims still lying in morgues because their families cannot afford burial expenses.
Describing Governor Otti as “their last hope,” the victims pleaded with him not to abandon them.
“You have been our hope before you came on board as our governor, and now that you are on board, you are still our hope,” they said.
