Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has inaugurated a 10-member committee to investigate and verify claims by victims of election-related violence in the state.
The committee will also supervise the distribution of the ₦500 million Election Violence Victims Relief Endowment Fund established by the state government.
A statement issued on Monday by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said the committee is headed by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun.
According to the statement, the committee is expected to establish the authenticity of claims and ensure that assistance is provided only to verified victims.
The members include Eniola Omotoso; Emmanuel Olowu, representing civil society organisations; Balkiss Akinleye; a nominee of the Nigeria Police Force; Moshood Suleiman of the Ministry of Information; Moses Faremi of the Ministry of Justice; a nominee of the Department of State Services; Yemi Lawal; and Sola Sonibare of the Osun Investment Promotion Agency, who will serve as secretary.
The statement said, “The committee is mandated to receive and verify petitions, claims and supporting evidence submitted by victims; determine the eligibility of claimants; and recommend appropriate relief to verified victims in accordance with the guidelines approved by the State Government.”
The government urged people affected by election-related violence to submit genuine petitions and relevant evidence to assist the committee in its verification exercise.
It added, “All affected persons with genuine claims are enjoined to cooperate with the committee by providing accurate information and relevant evidence necessary for the verification process.”
The government said the fund would be managed transparently and used strictly to support verified victims who suffered losses, injuries, displacement or other hardships linked to election violence.
The committee is expected to review submitted claims and make recommendations for the disbursement of relief to eligible beneficiaries.
