The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said he will not sign the 2021 budget currently before the National Assembly if provisions are not made for the compensation of the families of victims of police brutality in the last decade.
He also said he would not sign the appropriation bill if the implementation of the agreement between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government is not captured by the budget.
The Speaker disclosed on Tuesday in his opening remarks at the plenary. He noted that the #EndSARS protests “have gotten more serious,” although it “seems to have been hijacked” by those who have a different agenda in some parts of the country.
Read also; Nigerian economy has lost N700bn to #EndSARS protests – LCCI
The Speaker urged #EndSARS protesters to be cautious in handling the matter. He said “Don’t let your righteous cause be hijacked…” He added that “This is the time to move your agitation from the streets.”
Bills passed by the National Assembly are signed by both the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate before being transmitted to the President for assent.
Gbajabiamila noted that the Federal Government, through the National Human Rights Commission, had set up a panel of enquiry to take complaints from victims of police brutality.
He said that the FG had set up a panel of enquiry to take complaints from victims of police brutality through the National Human Rights Commission.
Gbajabiamila also said that he would pay condolence visits to families of some of those killed by the police with a delegation of lawmakers.
By; Ifunanya Ikueze
