A petitioner who appeared before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry has said that he wants justice and compensation for the alleged killing by the operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of his brother in 2017, saying his brother left behind a wife and two children.
The young petitioner, Precious Woko, who appeared before the commission later told newsmen that his brother was shot by SARS operatives on February 9, 2017 when he had committed no offence.
The petitioner, who is a hundred level student of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, told newsmen his brother, Godspower Woko, was shot in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State while having conversation with an elder cousin few blocks from their uncle’s residence.
He said that his brother was running back to the house in the midst of a commotion as people ran when he was shot.
The petitioner said that they looked for him everywhere and later found his body in the mortuary, demanding justice should be served in the case.
He said that his brother left behind a wife and two children.
With justice served, he said he also wants compensation of thirty million naira (N30m) for the family especially for the upkeep of the wife and children.
He described the death as a “great loss”, saying no amount of compensation would be enough for the loss.
He also said he only wants the wife and children to be taken care of.
Speaking with reporters, Woko said: “The reason why I’m here is for the panel to look into my brother’s death. It’s a murder case. He was murdered by SARS”.
Demanding justice, the petitioner also said: “I’m here for them to look into it (the case) and bring justice to the matter and also to compensate the family especially his wife and two kids. He was killed on 9th February, 2017”.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry was set up by the Rivers State government last year to look into alleged acts of violence, torture, brutality, murder and violation of fundamental rights of citizens committed by the officers and men and operatives of the Nigerian Police Force in the state.
The commission chaired by the Honourable Justice C.I. Uriri (retd) requested memoranda from the general public, corporate bodies, ministries, extraministerial departments and agencies, parastatals and groups and individuals, saying they would need to come forward.
At the inaugural sitting, the commission assured that it would thoroughly investigate petitions brought before it and to make recommendations accordingly.
The commission chairman, Justice Uriri, gave insight into the number of petitions received and the time available for the work.
He had barred security personnel from coming into the commission venue with arms.
