The Lagos state judicial panel on police brutality, better known as #EndSARS panel, has been granted additional three months to continue with its mandate.
Doris Okuwobi, chairperson of the panel, announced the extension at the sitting on Saturday.
This is the second time a three-month extension will be granted to the panel which is saddled with ensuring that justice is served for victims of police brutality in Lagos state.
In October 2020, many Nigerians took to the streets to demonstrate against police brutality under the #EndSARS campaign.
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The demands led to the disbandment of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police Force.
On October 19, 2020, the Lagos state government set up the judicial panel of inquiry and restitution to investigate cases of human rights abuses by operatives of the now-disbanded SARS and other security agencies.
This was sequel to the directive of the national economic council (NEC) that mandated states to set up panels to investigate police brutality in the wake of the #EndSARS protests.
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The Lagos state judicial panel was given a mandate of six months to hear petitions submitted by members of the public, while a total of N200 million was earmarked as compensation.
The panel’s sitting ought to have ended on April 19, but was extended by three months till July 19.
At its sitting on Saturday, Okuwobi said the panel has been granted additional three months for hearing of petitions.
She said cases tabled before the panel will be heard until October 19, 2021.
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“Today is not the last day. We now have an extension till October 19. The tenure is continuous,” she said.
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