The family of Adeshina Adeosun, a taxi driver killed by the police in Lagos, has been compensated with N10 million by the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for SARS-related abuses and other matters.
The family was one of six victims of police brutality who received N19.25 million in compensation from the panel.
The cheques were presented to the victims or their families by Justice Doris Okuwobi (retd), the panel’s chairperson.
Akinmade Akinrolabu received N1.5 million, Sanusi Oluwakemi received N750, 000, and Patrick Michael received N3 million.
Ayomide Oyewunmi was awarded N1 million, while Oluwatosin Odebode was awarded N3 million.
Adeshina Adeosun, a taxi driver, had appeared before the panel to tell how police officers from the Olosan Police Station in the Mushin axis of the state shot him and killed him.
According to the family, the deceased was shot during the #EndSARS protest on October 20, 2020, near Fan Milk junction in Lagos’ Mushin axis.
Adeosun’s daughter, Funmilayo, told the panel in February that her father was fatally shot by police and that his body was also seized by officers from the Olosan station in Mushin.
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The Lagos police were ordered by Justice Okwuobi to provide the deceased body for burial.
She also recommended that Nigerian police officers be trained on how to deal with crowds and riots.
Ayomide Oyewunmi, 14, was awarded N1 million after sustaining injuries while being handcuffed by police officers in the Ajah area of the state.
Taiwo Oyewunmi, his father, told the panel that police officers broke into his home and handcuffed his son.
Mr Oyewunmi said it took the station’s DCO’s intervention and orders from “higher authority” not to detain the minor in the cell, and that his son was traumatized as a result of the incident.
In May, his father sought N25 million in monetary compensation on his behalf.
The 14-year-old was subjected to fear and danger, according to the panel, and is entitled to compensation and an apology from the police.
The Lagos government established the panel in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protest in October 2020 to investigate cases of police brutality in the state.
