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Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State had on July 9, 2021 received the report of the State’s Judicial Panel of Inquiry into complaints of police brutality and extra-judicial killings in the state with a promised to do its best to support families of victims of police brutality and extra-judicial killings in the state.

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Chairman of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry, Justice Celestina Ogisi (retd.), when presented the panel’s report, disclosed that the Panel received 86 petitions and 49 were heard on merit while 37 were struck out for various reasons.

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“In total, the Panel received 86 petitions and 49 were heard on merit while 37 were struck out for various reasons.

“The Panel also received 10 petitions which sought the enforcement of judgments of various High Courts of the State against the Police for acts of Police brutality and extra-judicial killings.

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“The Panel recommended the payment of compensation to victims and/or their families for various acts of Police brutality and extra-judicial killings in Delta State.

“We also recommended the enforcement of all judgment debts awarded against the Police, which they have refused to obey till date,” Justice Ogisi stated.

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Meanwhile, the State government said it has concluded the consideration of that particular report except for some few items that needed to carry out some investigations with a view to arriving at the right decision.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu stated that on October 14, 2021, the state EXCO continued consideration of the white paper of the findings of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry.

“The State Executive Council concluded the consideration of that particular report except for some few items that we have to carry out some investigations with a view to arriving at the right decision.

“Particularly some directives that will require the Attorney General to find out further details so that we don’t take decision in error.

“In all, we have gotten to the end of that consideration except those other few items we jumped because we needed further information before we can ratify or possibly approve the report of the Ju dicial Panel of Inquiry”

Source: www.punchng.com