#EndSARS Panel Awards N770million Compensation For Victims In Imo

The judicial panel of inquiry set up to probe various acts of police brutality and human rights abuses in Imo State has recommended about N770 million to be paid to victims as compensation.

The panel’s chairman, Florence Duroha-Igwe, a retired judge of the state High Court, said this in a statement announcing the submission of the panel’s final report submitted to the state governor, Hope Uzodinma, on Wednesday.

Citing the report, Ms Duroba-Igwe said the total N770,985,800 was recommended by the panel to be paid as compensation by the government. She added that N39.1 million is to be refunded by individual policemen.

Scale Of Police Brutality Mrs Duroha-Igwe’s comment about the findings of the panel indicated that the problem of police brutality runs deep in the country.

“From our investigation, it is clear that cases reported to and treated by us are just a tip of the iceberg,” she said.

According to her, many others “are still living in self-denial as to the possibility of their missing loved ones still being alive even after 20 years.”

“They still hope that their loved ones will walk in through the door from police detention one day,” she added.

Report Breakdown The three-volume report covers the petitions, panel’s findings and recommendations.