According to report reaching oyogist.com, The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Monday, presented Cheques worth N507.4 million to victims of human rights violations and those whose lands were acquired for the building of the international cargo airport in the state.
While Fayemi paid a sum of N7.4 million to petitioners who were awarded compensations by the judicial panel of inquiry handling cases of human rights abuses by the disbanded Special- Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), 700 farmers, whose lands were acquired for the construction of the airport got the sum of N500 million.
Addressing the SARS’ victims in Ado Ekiti, Fayemi said his government decided not to wait for six months expiration given the judicial panel of inquiry before commencing the payment to instil confidence in governance.
Fayemi promised that his government would carry out law reforms, policy changes and institutional strengthening that can fight crime in Ekiti and ensure justice for all.
“In most cases, we pay attention to the offenders while not trying to remedy the emotional and psychological damage done to the victims. The House of Assembly has begun work on the Ekiti criminal code with the task of ensuring that victims of crime are put side by side with the offenders and get compensations while the offenders got punishment.
“I hereby apologise to the victims of human rights violations in Ekiti for the hurt and damage they had suffered emotionally and psychologically. These monetary compensations would help to alleviate your feelings and what you have suffered”.
Presenting cheques to farmers and owners of 4,017 hectares of lands acquired for the airport, Fayemi said the money will be distributed to farmers from Afao, Ago Aduloju, Araromi Obo, Ijan, Igbogun, Ogbese and others, to alleviate whatever they have suffered through the process of construction.
