Police Brutality: Lagos Judicial Panel begins sitting, swears in Rinu, Majekodunmi as youth reps

• Received not less than 15 petitions
• NBA will participate in observatory capacity -– Apata

THE Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution set up by the Lagos State government to look into brutality and high handedness by the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), as well as the October 20 Lekki Tollgate shooting, commenced sitting today.

The panel began with the swearing-in of Rinu Oduala and Temitope Majekodunmi as representatives of youths on the panel.

Also sworn-in as member is Lucas Koyejo, representing the Nigeria Human Rights Commission (NHRC), thus making it a 10-man panel.

At 12:32 am the first petitioner, Okoli Agwu was called by the panel. He explained that he spent 47 days in SARS detention, accused of theft by his boss.

According to him, when his mother and wife came for him, they were both beaten up in his presence.

He claimed that the SARS operatives took over his home, sold his car and properties. Agwu prayed the panel to prevail on the Nigeria Police to compensate him and return his seized properties.

A member of the panel, the activist-lawyer Ebun Adegboruwa SAN, asked Agwu about the efforts he made to enforce the judgement that was given in his favour.

The Attorney General of Lagos State, Moyosore Onigbanjo before taking his leave at 1:23pm, assured that the panel will be independent of the executive.

The second petitioner, one Ndukwe, was on a wheelchair and assisted by his mother, could not be heard as the Chairman of the panel adjourned the hearing to Friday, October 30 at 1:45 pm.

Recall that the Lagos State government had as part of its confidence building to the #EndSARS protesters, on Monday, October 19, announced the inauguration of an eight-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution to investigate cases of police brutality in the state while the protest lasted.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had, while announcing the setting up of the panel of inquiry, cited Section 5 of Tribunals of Inquiry Law, Laws of Lagos State, 2015 as a legal justification, and added that the panel will be joined by two youth representatives and a member of the National Human Rights Commission.

Headed by Justice Doris Okuwobi (Rtd), the panel is expected to sit on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm at the Lagos Court of Arbitration, located at No 1A, Remi Oluwode Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

The panel, which also has as member, Taiwo Lakanu, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police and a founding member of SARS, Mrs Oluwatoyin Odusanya, Director, Lagos State Directorate of Citizen’s Rights, Ms Patience Udoh, a representative of the civil society groups and Segun Awosanya (segalink), a human rights activist, has been inundated with petitions from victims of abuse by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Speaking at its inaugural sitting on Monday, October 26, the chairperson of the panel, Justice Okuwobi, said that the panel had so far received 15 petitions from abused victims.

She added that the panel was independent of the Lagos State Government and would ensure that individuals with valid complaints of human rights violations would receive immediate compensation.

Her words: “If their cases are disposed of in a month or two, compensation if recommended should go to the victims immediately to assuage their pains. We are looking forward to memoranda from those affected by the unfortunate incident of the shooting at the Lekki Tollgate plaza by the military.

“The panel has received not less than 15 petitions relating to the disbanded SARS. We are indeed ready to commence the public sitting. The petitions are here without the petitioners around, the panel will start full proceedings tomorrow (October 27).

“We are relying on the civil society to assist the panel with credible evidence of the killings at the Lekki Tollgate Plaza. This is to ensure that there will be good evidence to assist the panel make appropriate recommendations in respect of all terms of reference of the panel,” she added.

Meanwhile, president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata, who was present at the inaugural proceedings, said, “The NBA is here to help victims of the now disbanded SARS and other human rights violations to properly articulate their petitions to this panel pro bono. This will be done in Lagos and around the country.

“The NBA will participate in observatory capacity to ensure that all goes well and ensure that justice is actually served. Our best hands will be available throughout the sittings of the panel. We look forward to justice being done and the recommendations of the panel for those who have been badly treated by institutions that have been set up to protect them.”