Senate passes bill to compensate victims of EndSARS for 2nd reading
Senate passes bill to compensate victims of EndSARS for 2nd reading
On Wednesday, the Senate passed, on second reading, a bill to compensate EndSARS protest victims.
Sen. Gershom Bassey (PDP Cross-River) sponsored the legislation entitled, A Bill to Amend the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Act.
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In his opening statement, Bassey stated that the bill sought to establish the EndSARS Victims Compensation Fund.
Bassey stated, “distinguished colleagues, you may recall that in October 2020, there will be nationwide protests in response to the EndSARS movement.
During the EndSARS protest, judicial inquiry panels were convened to address the demands of protestors and the compensation of confirmed victims.
“The findings of the judicial panels of inquiry and the Senate Joint Committee on EndSARS revealed the murder of protesters, the destruction of private and public property by rampaging thugs who seized and took control of the demonstration, and the destruction and looting of valuable assets.
“However, distinguished colleagues, the implementation of the recommendations of all the panels and committees regarding compensation has been very discouraging.”
During the EndSARS protest, the victims, he claims, were left to continuously groan from the pain of injuries inflicted by thugs.
He stated that the eventual establishment of the fund and implementation of the recommendations of the judicial panel of inquiry and Senate Joint Committee on EndSARS would undoubtedly provide aid to the 2020 Endsars nationwide protest’s victims.
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“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, it is my prayer that you will support this amendment bill that seeks to bring hope to the victims of the 2020 EndSARS protest,” he said.
The Senate president, Ahmed Lawan, subsequently referred the bill to the Committee on Special Duties for further legislative input and a one-week report back to the plenary.
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