#EndSARS: NEC directs govs to prosecute indicted security operatives

The National Economic Council (NEC) has directed state governors to set machinery in motion for the prompt arraignment and prosecution of all indicted persons, both security personnel and civilians, by the #EndSARS panels.

Also, the governors have been mandated to, in collaboration with the Federal Government, establish modalities for the settlement of all monetary compensations awarded by the Panels.

According to the Council, where incidents in the reports relate to matters of discipline, in addition to prosecution, NEC urged the Nigeria Police Force to take disciplinary action on the affected officers in line with the provisions of the Police Act 2020.

“Council directed state governors to immediately forward copies of final reports of the panels to their Attorneys-General for prompt arraignment and prosecution of all indicted persons,” the NEC said.

These were parts of the resolutions of NEC after its virtual meeting on Friday.

NEC is composed of all state governors in the Federation and representatives of the Federal Government, Chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Following the October 2020 #EndSARS protests, which later transformed into violent demonstrations, 28 states and the Federal Capital Territory (under the auspices of the National Human Rights Commission) had set up Judicial Panels/Commissions of Inquiry (Panels) to investigate allegations of violations of human rights levied against members of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, especially members of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

At the meeting, NEC received an update on the Reports of Judicial Panels of Inquiry.

The 28 States that set up these Panels were: Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, and Taraba.

Out of the 28 states, 11 states (Abia, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Plateau, and Rivers) have submitted their final reports to Council; with Lagos, set to finalise its sittings on 19th October 2021, submitting an interim report.

Governors of other states including Delta and Ebonyi at Friday’s meeting also indicated that their reports would be submitted soon.