#Endsars:How Oyetola wiped the tears of victims of police abuse in Osun

Prior to November 2018, Osun State was seen as a state unable to undertake things that would make it competitive with other states in the nation. In actuality, it was seen as a state on the verge of bankruptcy.

Since assuming office in November 2018, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has drastically altered the narrative. From his ambitious construction of 332 Primary Healthcare Centres, one for each ward, to the reinstatement of full wages and pensions, Oyetola has continued to place Osun on the map of positive states in Nigeria. During the emergence of the Covid-19 epidemic, Oyetola rose to the occasion despite its financial difficulties and without assistance from the Federal Government. In addition, he was the first Nigerian to advocate for the full lockdown of the whole nation if the government wished to wage and win the desired fight against the virus. Before the FG announced the closure of additional states, only Lagos, Ogun, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were under lockdown. Osun was the only other state to be placed on lockdown prior to this.

On Thursday, May 12, 2022, Oyetola appeared to have achieved another first with his recompense to victims of police abuse. Following the panel's deliberations, he personally distributed checks totalling over N53 million to thirteen recipients. The governor said that the intent was to correct the wrongs of the past and put the state on the road to genuine reconciliation. He said that the action was another evidence of the State Government's dedication to peace, fairness, unity, justice, equality, and the rule of law. In accordance with the Federal Government's direction, Governor Oyetola established the Judicial Panel of Inquiry into Police Brutality, Human Rights Violations, and Related Extra-Judicial Killings.

Justice Akinwale Oladimeji, a former High Court judge, was tasked with examining instances of assault, unlawful arrest, murders, brutality, and other types of rights violations committed by the officers and men of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police.

Oyetola said that the presentation of the checks to the victims constituted a fulfilment of the financial component of the Panel's recommendations and that in accordance with the instruction to states, the state had also submitted the Panel's report to the Federal Government.

In its findings, the Panel recommended an amount of N53,290,000 as compensation.

Governor Oyetola reiterated the Administration's commitment to continuously maintaining peace, ensuring the security of lives and property of citizens, and advancing the course of security agencies through the provision of state-of-the-art security architecture by presenting the victims with the checks recommended by the Panel and approved by the State government.

Oyetola, who urged the inhabitants to continue to be law-abiding and to always display the values of the Omoluabi ethos for which the State is famed, said that the State will spare no effort in creating an atmosphere of peace and serenity for the citizens in all corners of the State.

"Today's event should be seen as a purposeful effort to right the wrongs of the past and start our society on the road to genuine healing.

"Our decision to pay compensation, which is normally not the State's obligation because the Police is not directly under our authority, is additional evidence of the Administration's dedication to peace and the rule of law.

"Let me stress, however, that the list of all people having secured judgement obligations has been sent to the Federal Government for appropriate action in accordance with the Panel's recommendation.

"As an administration, we recognise that no society can grow if injustice, inequality, and lawlessness are allowed to flourish.

"On behalf of the government and the people, I fervently urge all those who are rightly offended by the wrongs done to them in one way or another to forgive and enable the next chapter of genuine and lasting healing to begin for the benefit of everyone.

"I can promise you that we are dedicated to assisting the Nigeria Police Force in properly adopting changes that will allow it to fulfil its responsibility of ensuring peace and order.

"Today's event is another evidence of our administration's dedication to peace and the rule of law. As citizens and officials of the state, let us repay this gift by maintaining the greatest levels of mutual civility, respect, and understanding for the sake of lasting peace and progress.

"I commend the leadership of Civil Society Organizations and the young for their patience and tolerance throughout the years. I tell you that, as a government, we will never fail to ensure your future security.

"On behalf of the Government and People of Osun, I thank the Hon. Justice Oladimeji-led Judicial Panel of Inquiry into Police Brutality, Human Rights Violations, and Related Extra-Judicial Killings for their exemplary service to the State," he added.

Chairman of a panel talks

Earlier in his comments, the panel's chairman, Justice Akin David Oladimeji, lauded Governor Oyetola for deciding to recompense the victims despite the State's meagre financial resources.

Oladimeji, who hailed the action as a step in the right direction, said that the move will increase the trust of the people. He praised Governor Oyetola for adopting the committee's findings, most notably the financial responsibility proposed to the government, despite the State's limited financial resources.