Extrajudicial killings: NHRC pays N146m to Apo six, ex-minister’s relative

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Extrajudicial killings: NHRC pays N146m to Apo six, ex-minister’s relative

The Executive Secretary, NHRC, Tony Ojukwu (SAN), said the payment was historic as many did not believe that Nigerians could get succour.

The Secretary of the panel, Hilary Ogbonna, after the award of the compensation, accused the police of flagrant disregard for court orders, especially for the release of corpses for burial.

Ojukwu said by compensating the victims, the NHRC was out to change the narrative of impunity, adding that the commission was ready to provide remedy where the rights of Nigerians were violated.

“Where there is violation, there must be remedy,” Ojukwu said, adding that the NHRC had begun a journey to restore human dignity.

He, however, said the promotion and protection of the rights of Nigerians required the cooperation of all, including the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government, civil society organisations and the business community.

“We owe it a duty to make sure no one suffers injustice in this country,” Ojukwu stated.

The chairman of the nine-man panel, Justice Sulaiman Galadima (retd.), explained that the compensation being paid to the victims and families of victims of rights violation was part of the recommendations of the panel.

The retired Justice of the Supreme Court added that part of the recommendations of the panel was the immediate compensation of victims and their families.

While urging the Federal Government to implement other parts of the report, Justice Galadima called on all state governments that had received the reports of their #EndSARS panels to immediately implement the recommendations.

Answering questions from journalists, Ogbonna said the police had refused to obey orders concerning the release of the corpses of victims for burial by their family members.

He was answering questions from Abiodun Olutekunbi, lawyer to one of the petitioners, Victoria Agori, whose son, Daniel was killed by the police in controversial circumstances and whose corpse had not been released for burial despite a court order.

Ogbonna said, “The panel has about five cases in which the panel has ordered the release of corpses. We are finding it difficult for the police to obey this order. We have given out orders on these cases, but the police are yet to comply. And there are over 140 cases still standing.

“There is a case of N2m being demanded by a hospital for keeping the corpse for almost five years. The hospital insisted that the money must be paid before releasing the corpse for burial.

“One of the challenges is the failure of the police to obey orders. Even when the IG said they should comply, some policemen still refuse to comply.”