The Nigerian Bar Association’s Benin section on Wednesday praised the Lagos State Judicial Panel on EndSARS for its prompt findings following the probe into the October 2020 demonstrations.
According to NAN, the Bar issued a statement in which its Chairman and Secretary, Messrs Pius Oiwoh and Andrew Lawani, respectively, expressed their gratitude.
The Bar was pleased to stand behind the panel’s unrivalled finding of facts, and it commended attorneys who offered free legal assistance to victims.
WITHIN NIGERIA recalls that the Lagos State Judicial Panel on EndSARS submitted its report to the Lagos State Government on Nov. 15.
The panel was inaugurated on Oct. 19, 2020, to look into citizens’ complaints of rights abuses by operatives of the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
The panel, led by Justice Doris Okuwobi, sat for more than one year, listening to testimonies of petitioners, witnesses, experts, and lawyers.
Reacting, the NBA in its statement on Wednesday described the report of the panel as a job well done.
“The NBA Benin Bar welcomes the report of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on restitution for victims of SARS-related abuses and other matters.
“We salute the retired Justice Doris Okuwobi-led panel for the courage, activism and doggedness which it displayed in coming up with an all-encompassing report.
“Members of the panel have written their names in gold.
“We also extend special commendation to our colleagues who appeared for many of the victims and many of them did this on pro-bono terms; they have displayed the finest traditions for which the Bar is known.
“The Lagos panel has made far-reaching findings and recommendations which enjoy wide acceptance.
“We hope the panel set up by the governor of Lagos State will come up with a Whitepaper speedily so as to give effect to the recommendations of the panel.
“We hope also that the content of the Lagos report would serve as a lesson to all,’’ it stated.
The Bar also advised other states who had set up such panels to make their reports public to engender public confidence.
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