Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Judicial Panel of Investigation

  • Again, Sanwo-Olu Begs #EndSARS Protesters, Says Let’s Leave the Road and Dialogue Accordingly

    Again, Sanwo-Olu Begs #EndSARS Protesters, Says Let’s Leave the Road and Dialogue Accordingly

    In his usual heart-led leadership qualities, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Monday again appealed to the youths demonstrating against police brutality in the state to leave the roads and embrace the dialogue for the resolution of their agitations.

    Sanwo-Olu said his administration has shown sincerity and willingness to address all concerns raised by the protesters, given the actions taken so far, including the constitution of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry and setting up of compensation funds for the victims.

    According to him, “We have shown unprecedented commitment to the complete overhaul of the Nigeria Police Force. The inauguration of Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry is only the first step in a long line of reformative actions that will lead to a thorough revamp and reorientation of the Nigeria Police.

    “I believe that some of the actions we have taken should, to a large extent, show our sincerity and willingness to address all your concerns.

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    “Let me reiterate that I am on the side of the young people out there. I understand your pain and I know your concerns are genuine and legitimate. While we are able to immediately acquiesce to some of your demands, some others will require time. We ask you to bear with us as we dutifully work on your demands.

    “I will, therefore, like to renew my appeal to you to suspend the protests and create an atmosphere for the resolution of all pending demands. I encourage everyone brutalised by the disbanded SARS, including the families of those who died, to present their case before this tribunal.”

    Sanwo-Olu made the appeal during the swearing-in of members of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution at the State House in Marina.

    The governor’s appeal came on the heel of violent dimension assumed by the #EndSARS protests in some parts of the dtate.

    Reiterating his solidarity with the protesters’ demands, Sanwo-Olu urged the protesters to be part of the process of implementing the reforms they clamoured for in the police, adding that continuous blocking of roads, government and private offices would slow down the procedure of implementing their demands.

    He admitted that the task of reforming the police was achievable, but required the input and cooperation of the youth to accomplish task.

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    He commended the cohesiveness of the “resilient” young people who stood their ground in the last two weeks. Their tenacity, Sanwo-Olu said, has made the much-desired change in the policing system become inevitable.

    Speaking about the judicial panel, the Governor said he was convinced that its outcome and recommendations would open a new chapter in police-citizen relationship.

    He promised that his administration would ensure that all wounds are healed, justice served to victims of abuse, and guilty police officers prosecuted.

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    At the time of the swearing in of the panel members, the representatives of the youth in the panel had not been nominated by the protesters.

    The Sanwo-Olu administration had, last Friday, reached out to the protesters to forward the name of their nominees into the judicial panel. The protesters, however, pleaded for more time to send the names of their nominees, four days after the request.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • #EndSARS: Governor Abiodun Set Up Judicial Panel, Human Righs Complaints Portal

    #EndSARS: Governor Abiodun Set Up Judicial Panel, Human Righs Complaints Portal

    •   State sets up forensic lab for police investigations
    • Allocate ₦50m as start up funds for victims compensation

    Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Friday appointed Justice Solomon Olugbemi (retired) as Chairman of the Judicial Panel of Investigation on alleged cases of Police brutalities against citizens of the State.

    The appointment was in line with the resolution of the National Economic Council at its meeting on Thursday.

    The virtual meeting presided over by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osibanjo, with State Governors participating directed each State Governor in consultation with relevant Federal Agencies to take charge of interaction with #EndSARS protesters, and as much as possible address their legitimate concerns.

    The National Economic Council (NEC) also directed each State to set up Victims Support Fund to “enable payment of monetary compensations to deserving victims” of such alleged brutalities.

    The Governors are also expected to set up Special Security and Human Rights Committees as well as Human Rights Complaint Offices in their respective State.

    Following these directives Governor Dapo Abiodun in a statement issued in Abeokuta gave the list of members of each of the committees and their mandates as follows:

    Judicial Panel of Investigation

    ​Hon Justice Solomon Olugbemi (rtd) – Chairman

    Members:
    • Comrade Olayinka Folarin, Chairman, Ogun State Coalition of Civil Societies

    • Ms Omonajevwe Janet Abiri, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)

    • DIG Babatunde Ogunyanwo (rtd)

    • Comrade AbdulJabar Ayelagbe, Chairman, National Youth Council, Ogun State Chapter

    • Comrade Bamgbose Tomiwa, NANS Chairman, Ogun State

    • Ms Aisekegbe Momodu, National Human Rights Commission, Ogun State

    • Mrs. Oluwatosin T. Ogundele – Chief State Counsel, Ministry of Justice, will serve as Secretary

    The Committee is to receive and investigate complaints of Police brutality, human rights violations or related extra-judicial killings; evaluate evidence presented and recommend compensation and other remedial measures, where appropriate.

    Special Security and Human Rights Committee

    • Prince Dapo Abidoun, MFR, Governor of Ogun State ​​-Chairman

    • Heads of the security agencies in the State;

    • Head of any special tactical unit of the Police in the State charged with fighting armed robbery and other violent crimes;

    • Babatunde Adeluola, representing the youth
    Representing the civil society are:

    • Mrs. Peju Osoba of Child First Welfare International, and

    • Comrade Obatungashe Israel Adebayo, Deputy National President, Campaign for Democracy (CD).

    This Committee is charged, amongst others, with the task of ensuring the protection of the rights of citizens by all security and law enforcement agencies; monitor the prosecution of any officer indicted by the Presidential Panel on Police Reforms and entertain complaints of human rights violations from the State’s Human Rights Complaints Office.

    Human Rights Complaints Office:

    • Joseph Ogunniyi, Esq – Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Ota Branch – Ombudsman

    • Mr. Bamidele Adebayo, Director, Department of Citizens Rights, Ministry of Justice

    • Mr. Shodeinde Oluwaponmile, Ogun State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission.

    The Committee will facilitate easy access of complainants to prompt attention and assistance and give regular reports to the Special Security and Human Rights Committee for action.

    Victims’ Support Fund:
    A seed fund of Fifty Million Naira only (N50m) has been set aside as start-up amount to enable payment of monetary compensation to deserving victims.

    In addition to the above initiatives agreed at the National Economic Council meeting, the Governor announced the setting up of Ogun State Human Rights Complaints Reporting Portal that will be accessible to all citizens of Ogun State to upload documentary and audio / video evidence of cases of abuse.

    He also added that Ogun State will be establishing a Forensic Laboratory to aid and support police investigations and crime scene management.

    Furthermore, the State will invest in the continuous training of police officers on investigation best practices, community policing and intelligence gathering.

    The statement added that Gov Abiodun reiterated his Government’s commitment to the protection of human lives and properties. The Governor appealed to protesters to bring an end to the protests and allow a return to normalcy to give room for the implementation of government interventions, especially as the federal government has acceded to their demands whilst the state government has taken full responsibility for the implementation by taking these deliberate and practical steps and actions.

    The Governor assured citizens that the committees need to be allowed a chance to activate measures to end human rights violations and compensate victims of previous abuses.

    The Committees will be inaugurated this week.

  • Governor Sanwo-Olu Set to Inaugurate Judicial Panel to Investigate Police Brutality

    Governor Sanwo-Olu Set to Inaugurate Judicial Panel to Investigate Police Brutality

    • Increases Youth Representation To Two

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Saturday, received in audience, Justice Doris Okuwobi (rtd), chairman of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution set up to investigate cases of brutality and human rights violations committed by operatives of the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the State.

    Okuwobi’s visit to the Governor came ahead of swearing in of the panel members, which will hold in Alausa on Monday and their inaugural sitting at LASWA Building on Falomo Road in Ikoyi.

    The meeting, held behind closed doors, was attended by the Attorney General of the State, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso.

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    The discussion in the meeting, it was gathered, focused on improvement in the composition of the panel membership and expectations of members of the public in the discharge of the panel’s duties.

    After the meeting, Gov. Sanwo-Olu stated that the meeting was necessary to intimate the panel chairman on new developments and expectations of the Government.

    The Governor disclosed that the membership slot reserved for the youth had been increased to two, saying the move was to ensure young people, who are mostly the victims of SARS brutality, had strong voice and contributions in the panel’s activities.

    “The panel will commence its sitting next Monday after the official swearing in of its members in Alausa. We expect members of the public who have complaints against SARS operatives will approach the panel and bring forward their claims.

    “It is also important to mention that we have increased the expected nomination from the youth. At the announcement of the panel two days ago, we asked the youth to bring forward one representative. We have increased the youth representation to two.

    “I understand there is a process which the youth are using to nominate their representatives, which is very good. We will be expecting them to forward the names of their nominees to us before Monday. We believe that the increment in youth representation will further enrich the composition of the panel and diversity of the panel’s recommendations”, Sanwo-Olu said.

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    The Governor explained that the venue of the panel’s sitting was purposely chosen to create room for large occupancy should there be high number of complainants. He said the help desk lines specifically created to reach the panel members would be opened for calls from Monday.

    He urged members of the public who had valid cases of brutality, human rights violations and extra-judicial killings to approach the panel for justice and compensation.

    Other members of the panel include Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN (representing the Civil Society), Taiwo Lakanu (a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police), Ms Patience Udoh (representing the Civil Society), Mr. Segun Awosanya (Human Rights Activist), Mrs. Olutoyin Odusanya (Director, Lagos Citizens Mediation Center), and a representative of the Human Rights Commission.