The Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by the Ebonyi State government to look into complaints of extra-judicial killings and human rights violations in the state, on Wednesday, recommended that the sum of N189million should be paid to victims. 

The Panel also recommended sanctions and other forms of punishment for security agencies, involved in extrajudicial killings, brutality and other forms of human rights violation.

The Chairman of the panel, Justice Alloy Nwankwo, stated this while submitting the report of the panel to the Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi, on Wednesday. 

READ ALSO We will welcome Jonathan if he defects – APC

He said, “In cases of extra-judicial killings, uniform compensation is recommended while in other cases of brutality, compensation should be made based on the peculiarity of each case. In matters where judgement had already been given by the courts, the panel recommends the enforcement of the court judgement.

Nwankwo continued, “71 petitions were received by the panel, while 51 were determined. 20 of the petitions were either struck out, abandoned or withdrawn by the petitioners for want of diligent prosecution. Petitions that were found to be pending in court were also struck out as the panel does not have the power to go into such matters. 

“Also, petitions that were found to be unmeritorious and viewed as gold-digging were dismissed; while recommendations were made in deserving cases to serve as a deterrent to others. The panel had its inaugural sitting on November 2, 2020, and parties involved were invited for hearing.”