A human rights activist, Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, has made a passionate appeal to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to urgently implement Anambra State EndSars panel report.
It would be recalled that the EndSars panel report was submitted to the former Gov. Willie Obiano on March 15, 2022, after two years EndSars protests and nine months after the report were submitted.
Anambra State government establish the panel and appointed Justice Veronica Umeh as chairman; while it immediately swung into action and received 300 petitions, which is the highest in the country.
“The government non implementation of the report remains consternation to the petitioners, victims, their legal representatives and Anambra residents,” Ezekwueme said in a statement recently in Enugu.
He said that the panel thoroughly investigated and articulated all the petitions with patriotism and assiduously concluded its assignment and recommended N699,900,000 to 170 petitioners, whereas some petitions were dismissed due to lack of purview of terms of reference of the panel, jurisdiction or merits.
Ezekwueme, who was member of the panel, noted that justice could only be served unless unaffected are as outraged as those affected.
“It is on record that petitioners, victims, their loved ones and counsels are very inquisitive and eager to know how the victims will be compensated and perpetrators prosecuted to act as deterrent to others.
“Unfortunately more than eight months the report was submitted, government is yet to implement EndSars panel report giving credence to speculation of people that this is political statement to douse tension.
“Recall that former administration of Chief Willie Obiano budgeted #300 million for compensation of victims, petitioners who suffered various forms of loss, damage as a result of police brutality.
“They are looking forward to the implementation of EndSars panel report for succor and consolation to assuage their pathetic, devastating sufferings and losses incurred by the victims, petitioners and their loved ones,” he said.
The activist, who is also the Chairman of Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), reminded Gov. Soludo that implementation of EndSars panel report is priority projects that deserve urgent and immediate government attention.
According to him, as a state with highest number of petitions; Nigerians, petitioners and global community are eagerly looking forward to how the victims will be adequately compensated and perpetrators prosecuted to act as deterrent to others.
“Worthy of note is without payment of compensation to the petitioners the intention of government will be defeated, panel report becomes relentless efforts without effect and victims’ agony, pains and sorrow will exacerbate.
“Soludo should promptly do the needful to rescue the situation by paying compensation to the petitioners and save the image of the state, the Panel Chairman and members.
“I equal commends selfless services and sacrifices made by revered Hon. Justice Veronica Umeh and her panel in serving the state with greater interest of the people at heart,” he said.
