The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has inaugurated an Independent Investigative Panel (IIP) on the allegations of human rights violations by the defunct SARS, to complement the work of the State Judicial Panels.
This disclosure was made in a press release by the NHRC, after the inauguration event which took place at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja.
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UPDATE on Police Reforms & Accountability: @NhrcNigeria has inaugurated an Independent Investigative Panel on the allegations of human rights violations by the defunct SARS, to complement the work of the State Judicial Panels. The Panel commences sitting tomorrow, Wed Nov 4, 2020 pic.twitter.com/kU7x1LSeqW
— Government of Nigeria (@NigeriaGov) November 3, 2020
The statement partly reads:
“National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has inaugurated an Independent Investigative Panel on the allegations of human rights violations by the defunct SARS, to complement the work of the State Judicial Panels. The Panel commences sitting tomorrow, Wed Nov 4, 2020.”
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At the event which took place at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu Esq., highlighted other areas the panel would look into.
The Panel, chaired by Justice Suleiman Galadima, has already started receiving petitions, ahead of the commencement of sitting tomorrow. However, in the course of its duties, the Panel will also visit SARS, State CID & FCID facilities in Abuja and nationwide.
READ: #EndSARS: AU Commission calls for respect of human rights
What you should know
Following the nationwide protests against police brutality, tagged #EndSARS, one of the demands of the protesters was an establishment of a panel of judicial enquiry to try officers who have been involved in cases of human rights abuses and to give justice to victims and their families.
In this vein, states (including Lagos, Oyo, Ogun and others) have taken necessary steps to make this a reality, by going forward to set up states judicial panel.
READ: #EndSARS Protest: FG denies monitoring calls and social media accounts
Justice Galadima, who spoke on behalf of members of the panel promised to do a thorough job. Other members of the Panel are:
- Civil Societies – Dr. Lydia Umar and Dr. Uju Agomoh.
- Representative of the National Human Rights Commission – Mr. Abdulrahman Yakubu (Director, Civil and Political Rights).
- Representative of Nigerian Youths – Mr. Mubarak Mijinyawa (Speaker Nigerian Youth Parliament) .
- Representative of the Police Service Commission – Mr. Tijani Mohammed (Director Investigation).
- Representative of Nigeria Police Force – Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde (AIG Intelligence).
- Representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association – John Aikpokpo Martin (1st Vice President NBA) and Dr. Garba Tetengi SAN, Mni.
READ: #EndSARS: Human Rights Commission seeks prosecution of 35 indicted police officers
The NHRC and it’s officers are not qualified to set up a panel on human rights violation or even sit in such panel because as an organisation they have closed their eyes to established case of child rights violation reported by me.