Police Brutality: Bayelsa Judicial Panel awards N15m to victim of 17years old’s family
by Peregba Jerry
The Bayelsa state Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality and Related Extra-Judicial killings on Monday 10th May, 2021 passed judgment on some of the cases that was pending before it.
The seven-man panel headed by Justice Young Emmanuel Ogola (rtd), delivered judgments on the petitions brought by Daniel Amaebi Kokorifa, whose 17years old son was killed by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), and Oyinbunugha Ogbe, who was shot by the police in 2018.
Delivering judgment on the case brought by Mr. Daniel Kokorifa, the panel awarded the sum of N15million compensation to the family.
Speaking after the judgment, council to the family, Bar. Fred A. Sima, who highlighted some of the cost the family has gone through, expressed gratitude to the panel for the judgment.
He said, “The son of our client was extra-judicially killed and the police officer was actually tried in court and was found guilty, however, we have to see justice for the family and some other extra cost that the family suffered in trying to get the deceased and burial of the deceased. That was the reason we came to the panel. We are grateful to the panel for finding in our favor and delivering judgment in our favor.”
On his part, father to the deceased, Daniel Kokorifa, said though the money will not bring back his son but thanked God for the judgment.
His words, “I’m grateful to God, I know very well that in cases like this many times some people can not prove their case but this one I proved my case. My son was brutally killed and today the panel of inquiry met, lawyers tried. So, I am grateful to God but N15million is OK, no problem about that but it cannot bring back my son alive.
“My son was killed on the 18th of August, 2016, and from there the case got to the Yenagoa High Court and there was judgment. The family of the officer appealed the case in Port Harcourt but was upheld by the Appeal court and presently, it is in the supreme court. By the grace of God, definitely we will get justice there and the police officer must be hanged to death,” he added.
In another judgment, the panel also awarded the some of N13million to another victim of police brutality, Oyinbunugha Ogbe.
Speaking to newsmen, council to the victim, Barr. Azebi Anthony, described the judgment as a “well-considered one”. He, however, appealed and hoped that the government would reciprocate the judgment, adding that his client still need good medical care.
