officers.
The Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by the Edo State
Governor, Godwin Obaseki, following the #EndSARS protest has
received nine petitions from the public.
Governor Obaseki had set up the 22-man panel headed by a retired
judge, Justice Ada Ehigiamusoe, to look into cases of police
brutality, human rights violations, and allegations of
extra-judicial killings by operatives of the now-disbanded Special
Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the state.
Justice Ehigiamusoe revealed the number of petitions received so
far to journalists on Tuesday in Benin City, the state capital.
She gave an assurance that the panel would carefully investigate
all complaints and petitions brought before it, adding that the
inaugural sitting would hold on Thursday.
According to the retired judge, the panel’s terms of reference
include to receive and investigate complaints of brutality by
security agents, human rights violations, or related extrajudicial
killings in the state, as well as evaluate the evidence presented
and other surrounding circumstances and draw a conclusion as to the
validity of the complaints.
She noted that the panel was mandated to recommend compensation
and other remedial measures where applicable and ascertain the
officers responsible for the abuse of victims and recommend their
prosecution were applicable.
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Justice Ehigiamusoe stated that the panel would make
recommendations to the Edo State government on how to ensure
security agents no longer abuse the rights of citizens.
She, therefore, appealed to victims to submit verifiable
evidence that could enable the panel to carry out its duty
diligently.
On his part, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in
Edo, Pius Oiwoh, commended Governor Obaseki for inaugurating the
panel.
Noting that he has confidence in the panel based on its
composition, Oiwoh believes Justice Ehigiamusoe has distinguished
herself during her time in office.
He promised that the NBA in Benin City would partner as
observers and play a pro bono role in assisting the panel.
Elsewhere, the state government has adjusted the curfew time to
span between 10pm and 6am daily, beginning from Tuesday.
Governor Obaseki’s media adviser, Crusoe Osagie, insisted that
the government was committed to the security of lives and property,
and was working with security agencies to ensure peace and order is
fully restored in the state.