The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has
constituted an 11-man Independent Investigative Panel (IIP) to look
into allegations of human rights violations levelled against the
operatives of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and
other units of the Nigeria Police Force.
NHRC Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu revealed on Friday in
Abuja, saying the panel will hear petitions, complaints and
memoranda from Nigerians across the 36 states of the federation and
the FCT.
The committee headed by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court,
Justice Suleiman Galadima, is expected to make recommendations to
the federal government on how best to reform SARS and other units
of the Force.
Other members of the committee include: Other members of the
Panel are: Abdulrahaman Yakubu, Yemi Ademolakun, Chioma Chuka,
Prof. Ayo Atsenuwa, Tijani Mohammed, Dr. Uju Agomoh, DIG Ibrahim
Lamorde, Dr. Garba Tetengi, Feyikemi Abudu, John Aikpokpo Martins,
Hilary Ogbonna
SEE FULL STATEMENT HERE:
NHRC CONSTITUTES 11-MAN PANEL TO HALT HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BY
SARS, OTHER POLICE PERSONNELIn line with the National Human Rights Commission’s mandate and
in response to the nationwide agitations by some Nigerian youth
groups under the auspices of End SARS, the NHRC has constituted an
11-man Independent Investigative Panel (IIP) to look into
allegations of human rights violations against the defunct SARS and
other units of the force.The Committee headed by a retired Justice of the Supreme
Court, Justice Suleiman Galadima will hear petitions, complaints
and memoranda from Nigerians across the 36 states of the federation
and the FCT, and thereafter make recommendations to the federal
government on how best to reform SARS and other units of the Police
force.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});The Executive Secretary of NHRC, Tony Ojukwu Esq. who made this
known in Abuja Friday evening noted that the terms of reference of
the Panel include, investigate all complaints of human rights
violations against SARS and other units of the Police force, make
appropriate recommendations as per the damages and compensations to
be paid to the victims of Police brutality.Besides, the Panel is given the powers to refer any matter, in
the course of their assignment to the Attorney General of the
Federation, or that of a State for prosecution in accordance with
the law.The panel is empowered as well to make recommendations to
government on measures to be taken in respect of operatives of
defunct SARS or officers of the Nigerian Police Force, if any,
found in violation of human rights of citizens and propose remedial
steps that may enhance the professional conduct of defunct SARS
operatives, any succeeding unit and other members of the Nigerian
Police Force and any other recommendations that may be considered
appropriate.Other members of the Panel are:
. Member – Abdulrahaman Yakubu
. Member – Yemi Ademolakun
. Member – Chioma Chuka
. Member – Prof. Ayo Atsenuwa
. Member – Tijani Mohammed
. Member – Dr. Uju Agomoh
. Member – DIG Ibrahim Lamorde
. Member – Dr. Garba Tetengi, SAN, mni
.Member – Feyikemi Abudu
.Member – John Aikpokpo Martins
.Secretary of the Panel – Hilary Ogbonna
Ojukwu also disclosed that all petitions, complaints and
memoranda must reach the Commission, which is the Secretariate of
the Panel on or before 31 October, 2020.