By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The Chairman of Osun Judicial Panel of Inquiry against Police Brutality, Human Rights Violations and Related Extra Judicial Killings, Justice Akinwale Oladimeji (rtd) has said that the money recommended as compensation for victims be deducted from salaries of police officers.

Speaking on Thursday during the formal presentation of cheques to victims of police brutality by the Osun State government, Oladimeji, who was a retired judge of the High Court, expressed sadness at serious injuries men of the Nigeria Police Force have caused citizens of the country.

“It is so unfortunate that those that cause this trouble, the police, is an agency that belong to the Federal Government. 

“What the Federal Government supposed to do is to calculate the whole amount of money recommended by the panel and start deducting it from each of the police officers, those that have retired, they should deduct from their pensions and gratuities perhaps that would make them to stop causing more problems in the society. 

“Up till now when you go out you will see them; they have refused to stop,” he said.

Governor Gboyega Oyetola in his remarks said that the motive of paying compensation to victims of police brutality was a deliberate quest to redress the wrongs of yesterday and set the State on the path of true healing. 

He said: “Our decision to pay compensation which ordinarily is not the responsibility of the state, since the police is not directly under our control, is a further testament to the commitment of our administration, to peace and the rule of law. 

“Let me reiterate here that the list of all those who have secured judgement have been passed on to the Federal Government for necessary action, in line with the recommendation of the panel.”

Oyetola assured the Nigerian Police Force of support in fully implementing relevant reforms that will enable it play its role in maintaining law and order.

The Panel had in its report recommended N53.2million as compensation to victims.