The Federal Government’s investigative panel set up to probe allegations of rights violations by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad and other tactical units of the Nigeria Police Force held its first sitting in Abuja on Wednesday.
The panel was inaugurated on behalf of the Federal Government by the National Human Rights Commission on October 21, 2020 in reaction to the recent #EndSARS protests and is expected to turn in its report within six months.
Shortly after the ceremonial inaugural sitting, the 11-man panel, led by Justice Ibrahim Galadima, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, began the hearing of two petitions which were later adjourned for continuation of hearing.
Speaking at the ceremonial inaugural sitting, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), said the report of the panel would be implemented.
Malami, who was represented by the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr Dayo Apata (SAN), said, “Any person indicted for any criminal offence shall be duly prosecuted.
“Let me assure Nigerians that the Federal Government is committed to its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property,” he added.
Apata said the report of the previous presidential panel on SARS submitted to the AGF office on October 19, 2020 with the list of SARS operatives indicted and recommended for prosecution was receiving attention.
He said the AGF and his state counterparts had already scheduled a meeting on how to fashion out the strategy for the prosecution of the cases, most of which he said involved state offences.
The 1st Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr John Aikpoko-Martins, who represented the NBA President, Mr Olumide Akpata, charged the panel “to extend its terms of reference to cover ongoing alleged rights violations.”
Yorumlar