Lagos State judicial panel on restitution for victims of SARS related abuses and other matters sitting in Lagos, struck out a petition for want of diligent prosecution

The panel which commenced sitting early today at it’s venue, conducted hearings into all the ten petitions listed for the day with adoption of final written address on four petitions and the panel order for filing of final written address on two petitions.

In the petition of the family of Peter Moses Okpere vs federal special anti robbery squad (FSARS), the panel noted that the petition is coming up for the second time with the petitioner and his counsel absent again.

Subsequently, the respondent counsel applied for the petition to be struck out on the grounds that the petitioner has not shown seriousness to prosecute his matter.

The panel counsel aligned himself with the position of the respondent counsel when he informed the panel that the petitioner was duly informed of today’s sitting just like the previous one and he is of the opinion that the petitioner is probably no longer interested in pursuing his case.

In her ruling, the panel Chairman Justice Doris Okuwobi (Rtd.) noted that the petition is coming up for the second time and neither the petitoner nor his counsel is present again, she took note of the submission and prayers of the respondent which was considered with other factors and found meritorious, consequently, the panel struck out the petition for want of diligent prosecution.

The panel sitting continues.