By Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

Pa. Olaye Anthony (88), owner of the storey building housing Ugbekun Police Station on Upper Sokponba Road, Benin, Edo State, has demanded N40 million as compensation for his burnt house.

The building was razed in October 2020 during the #EndSARS protest.

The octogenarian on Tuesday appeared before the State Judicial Panel of Inquiry for Victims of SARS and Related Abuses.

His lawyer, Blessing Agbeta, said the elderly man decided to seek redress as the building was his retirement benefit.

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He said if government could rebuild the house, his client would be happy or, alternatively, he should be given N40 million as compensation.

Agbeta said: “The house is a retirement benefit for the old man. At 88 years, that is where he earns money to take care of himself.

“We are begging the panel to help us speak with Governor Godwin Obaseki to rebuild the house or compensate him so he can have a good living, pending when God will call him to glory.

“Officers and men of the State Police command have been occupying the building since 1983, and they owe my client N3.6 million.”