The Governor thanks the Judicial Panel for completing their task of investigating allegations of human rights violations by police in Ekiti State. The Panel's final report examines police reform initiatives, the ENDSARS protests, and identifies victims and compensation recommendations. The Governor has reviewed the report and will consider additional compensation recommendations. The government will also strengthen human rights protections through law reforms, a Victims Charter, and a Citizens Complaints Center for direct reporting of grievances. An implementation committee is appointed to review the report and provide recommendations to the State Executive Council within 4 weeks.

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Text of the Address by
His Excellency
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON
Governor, Ekiti State, Nigeria
on the occasion of the
PRESENTATION OF FINAL REPORT OF THE EKITI STATE JUDICIAL PANEL OF
INQUIRY INTO ALLEGATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AGAINST POLICE
OFFICERS INCLUDING OFFICERS OF THE SPECIAL ANTI-ROBBERY SQUAD (SARS)
AND OTHER PERSONS
at
Exco Chambers, Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
Friday, 7th
May, 2021
Protocols
1. Let me give my heartfelt thanks to My Lord, the Chairperson,
members and staff of the Judicial Panel. They have performed their task
with distinction. I must particularly commend the focus and dedication
of the Panel in ensuring that their task was completed within the
mandated time in a manner that instilled public confidence and wide
acceptability.
2. The Honorable Attorney - General has briefed me on the report.
The report examines successive police reform initiatives in Nigeria. It

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gives an overview of the ENDSARS protests in Ekiti State. The report
highlights the activities of the Judicial Panel including the arduous work
of identifying victims of rights violations and proposing appropriate
compensations. It also proposes recommendations on what we must do
to prevent such occurrence in future. I look forward to reading and
reviewing the report in thorough detail.
3. Although today’s activity signifies the end of the life span of the
Judicial Panel, for the Government of Ekiti State. This is an opportunity
for us to further strengthen our interventions in the promotion and
protection of human rights in Ekiti State. In specific terms, the report will
enable government to reassess current measures in place to prevent all
forms of extra judicial conduct by law enforcement and examine
whether remedial measures that currently exists within government
structures are adequate, effective and efficient. To be sure, it is rational
to expect that human rights violations may always occur in law
enforcement. What is important is that there are mechanisms in place to
respond speedily to such violations when they occur.
4. At the inauguration of the Panel, I did mention that given the
seriousness of the issues involved, Government would not wait until the
final report is submitted before we begin the process of implementation.
This is why government accepted and implemented the preliminary
findings of the panel on the award of compensations to deserving
persons.
5. Our prompt payment of compensations to these victims was borne
out of our desire to ensure that they are given the opportunity to
immediately begin to rebuild their lives. The cases of additional persons

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recommended for the award of compensation will also be given the
same speedy consideration.
6. Quite aside from the award of compensation, Government has
commenced a holistic review of our laws, policies and institutions in
responding to concerns that led to the protests. In the area of law
reform, we have now finalized a review of our criminal code law with
emphasis among others on ensuring that victims of crime including those
of rights violations are recognized as important stakeholders in our
criminal justice process. I have also directed the Ministry of Justice to
review the Ekiti State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2014 with a
view to examining the adequacy of extant provisions on protecting the
rights of victims of crime.
7. In the area of policy change, in addition to the publication of the
Ekiti State Victims Charter, which sets out how victims of crime should
be treated by institutions of state and what advice, support and practical
information they can receive, the State Government will shortly publish
the Ekiti State Action Plan for the Promotion and Protection of Human
Rights. This plan, when completed, will provide a sustainable framework
for enabling a culture of human rights in Ekiti State as well as reaffirming
government’s role in this regard.
8. Our institutional strengthening strategy is essentially aimed at
improving access to justice, though state justice institutions. We will
continue to improve the capacity of State Justice institutions to respond
professionally to complaints from our citizens. We have listened to
citizens’ requests on the need to bring our institutions closer to rural
communities as well as public spaces.

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9. Strengthening existing linkages between our local government
councils and state justice institutions is an ongoing initiative. Concerning
the need for more visibility in public spaces, I am today pleased to
announce the establishment of a Citizens Complaints Centre in the newly
completed Oja-Oba facility. This center, when fully functional, will
provide an additional place for citizens to report their complaints and
grievances that will result in an immediate and appropriate government
response.
10. The location of the Center is strategic and easily accessible. The
center will operate in a manner devoid of the formalities that are
associated with government MDAs. It will also provide different
communication channels – 24/7 hotline, email, test, website and other
multiple social media platforms. The Ministry of Justice will supervise the
operations and administration of the Center.
11. Let me also use this opportunity to mention the determination of
my administration to participate actively in the national conversation on
police reform. The constitutional review process facilitated by the
National Assembly will provide an opportunity for us to share our
thoughts and desire for a police service that is accountable and well-
endowed to guarantee safety, security and freedom from crime for
everybody.
12. I should add that our youth engagement programme is constantly
being monitored and refreshed to meet evolving needs of our youth
population. Government recognizes young people’s right to participate
in decisions that impact them. We acknowledge their skills and

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strengths. This is why across all our MDAs, specific policies and
interventions are being implemented to enable Youths participate
actively in our socio -economic and political environment.
13. The process of implementing the final report of the Panel will
commence immediately. The following persons are hereby appointed to
oversee the implementation process. Members of the White paper
Committee are as follows:
i. Olawale Fapohunda, Honourable Attorney- General &
Commissioner for Justice - Chairman
Other members are:
ii. Mr. Akintunde Oyebode, Honourable Commissioner for
Finance and Economic Development
iii. Brigadier- General Ebenezer Ogundana, Special Adviser,
Security Matters
iv. Ms. Omowunmi Deborah, Youth Representative
v. Ms. Caroline Fakinlede, Youth Representative
vi. Mr. Jamiu Adigun, National Human Rights Commission
vii. Mrs. Yetunde Kolawole will continue to act as secretary to the
Committee

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The Chairman may at his discretion co-opt additional members either
from within or outside the Judicial Panel to clarify or provide expert
information on any issue that may be relevant to the workings of the
Committee. The Committee has four weeks to present its report to the
State Executive Council for consideration.
14. In conclusion, I am grateful to members of the Judicial Panel for their
important role in achieving peace and security in Ekiti State. I now wish
to once again formally and publicly apologise to all the victims of rights
violations as recognised by the Judicial Panel for the hurt they
experienced and the loss that they suffered. It is my hope that the steps
we have taken this far will contribute to repairing financial loss and other
psychological and physical injuries that may have been suffered.
I thank you all for listening
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON
Governor