NHRC Commences Public Hearing, Against SARS Allegation.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has commenced public
hearing into cases of alleged human right violations against the
Nigerian Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the FCT.
In a Press release sent by the Head of Media, Fatima Agwai
Mohammed, The Acting Executive Secretary of the Commission Mrs Oti
Ovrawah revealed that the idea of the public hearing was conceived
from numerous complaints received by the Commission on the
activities of the Police (SARS). She said the complaints bothered
basically on human rights violations like torture, threat to life,
access to justice, inhuman and degrading treatment among other
things.

Mrs ovrawah emphasized that in fulfilling its statutory mandate
of promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights in
Nigeria, and in line with its standing order and rules of
procedure, holding a public hearing on such complaints became
necessary in order to adequately address the human rights
concerns.

The Acting ES further stated that the hearing will provide
opportunity to underscore some challenges faced by SARS in carrying
out its specialized duties as well as proffer possible methods of
compliance with international best practices to ensure efficient
service delivery by the Squad.

She said one of the objectives of the hearing is to bring before
the authorities some complaints against SARS and to hear from the
police so as to arrive at a fair determination of the issues of
concern in line with the human rights norm of fair hearing.

According to her, the Commission recognizes the unique role of
SARS in addressing criminalities like robbery, kidnapping and other
severe crimes in the country. She added that the Commission intends
to assist government in its bid to reorganize and improve the squad
to effectively and continually mainstream human rights into its
operations. “This will build trust between members of the community
and SARS, and in turn assist in encouraging voluntary information
which could be useful for investigation and enhanced
operations”.

The Chairman, National Committee against torture, who is also
the Chairman of the Panel, Dr. Samson Sani Ameh (SAN) said the
public hearing would provide an opportunity to hear from all
parties involved in the cases before panel. He urged the parties to
feel free in speaking their minds as this would in no small measure
assist the Panel in unravelling the truth.
The alternate Chairman of the NBA Committee on Human Rights Barr.
Maxwell Okparah who is also a member of the panel said although
there may be infractions and some form of human rights violations
perpetrated by SARS, scrapping it may not be in the best interest
of the country. He advocated for a proper reorganization of the
system so that they may effectively serve the purpose for which
they are created.

Speaking on the Mandate of SARS, Assistant Commissioner of
Police (CID), FCT Command, Nura Yakubu said that SARS was not
created for brutality as popularly conceived by the public but
created to curb criminality through intelligence.

He admitted that SARS must have made mistakes during its
operations which is normal in any course of work, but “we are ready
to take corrections for the benefit of the society”

Tony Ojukwu Esq another member of the panel and the Director
monitoring department of the NHRC said capacity building is key for
the nature of work that is cut out for SARS as this would enhance
effective service delivery, adding that similar exercise would take
place across the country.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has commenced public
hearing into cases of alleged human right violations against the
Nigerian Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the
FCT.
In a Press release sent by the Head of Media, Fatima Agwai
Mohammed, The Acting Executive Secretary of the Commission Mrs Oti
Ovrawah revealed that the idea of the public hearing was conceived
from numerous complaints received by the Commission on the
activities of the Police (SARS). She said the complaints bothered
basically on human rights violations like torture, threat to life,
access to justice, inhuman and degrading treatment among other
things.

Mrs ovrawah emphasized that in fulfilling its statutory mandate
of promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights in
Nigeria, and in line with its standing order and rules of
procedure, holding a public hearing on such complaints became
necessary in order to adequately address the human rights
concerns.

The Acting ES further stated that the hearing will provide
opportunity to underscore some challenges faced by SARS in carrying
out its specialized duties as well as proffer possible methods of
compliance with international best practices to ensure efficient
service delivery by the Squad.

She said one of the objectives of the hearing is to bring before
the authorities some complaints against SARS and to hear from the
police so as to arrive at a fair determination of the issues of
concern in line with the human rights norm of fair hearing.

According to her, the Commission recognizes the unique role of
SARS in addressing criminalities like robbery, kidnapping and other
severe crimes in the country. She added that the Commission intends
to assist government in its bid to reorganize and improve the squad
to effectively and continually mainstream human rights into its
operations. “This will build trust between members of the community
and SARS, and in turn assist in encouraging voluntary information
which could be useful for investigation and enhanced
operations”.

The Chairman, National Committee against torture, who is also
the Chairman of the Panel, Dr. Samson Sani Ameh (SAN) said the
public hearing would provide an opportunity to hear from all
parties involved in the cases before panel. He urged the parties to
feel free in speaking their minds as this would in no small measure
assist the Panel in unravelling the truth.
The alternate Chairman of the NBA Committee on Human Rights Barr.
Maxwell Okparah who is also a member of the panel said although
there may be infractions and some form of human rights violations
perpetrated by SARS, scrapping it may not be in the best interest
of the country. He advocated for a proper reorganization of the
system so that they may effectively serve the purpose for which
they are created.

Speaking on the Mandate of SARS, Assistant Commissioner of
Police (CID), FCT Command, Nura Yakubu said that SARS was not
created for brutality as popularly conceived by the public but
created to curb criminality through intelligence.

He admitted that SARS must have made mistakes during its
operations which is normal in any course of work, but “we are ready
to take corrections for the benefit of the society”

Tony Ojukwu Esq another member of the panel and the Director
monitoring department of the NHRC said capacity building is key for
the nature of work that is cut out for SARS as this would enhance
effective service delivery, adding that similar exercise would take
place across the country.