Etim Effiong
The Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma has inaugurated a 17-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry that will investigate alleged police brutality and related extra-judicial killings.
He has also asked #EndSARS protesters to take advantage of the panel to get justice.
Speaking, he stated that the inauguration of the panel was in line with the directive from President Muhammadu Buhari and resolve of the Nigerian Governors Forum that each state take steps to implement the demands of the #EndSARS protesters.
According to him, the disbanded SARS has provided the opportunity to further interrogate the concern of the protesters, not only in Imo State, but in the 36 states of the federation and Abuja.
He urged the panel to investigate all human rights abuses and brutality as well as extra judicial killings perpetrated by SARS in the past in Imo State, if any.
Uzodinma also asked members of the Commission to invite and take evidences from all victims of police brutality and extra-judicial killings, including from their families and friends.
He advised the panel to create friendly atmosphere that will allow the public to come forward and present their grievances, adding that the Panel should on its own compel witnesses in one form or the other to appear before it.
Uzodinma asked members of the panel to evaluate all cases presented before them and make recommendations to Government on where compensations should be paid and also determine appropriate punishment for the Police officer(s) or member(s) of the disbanded SARS that committed such crime, where necessary.
He said the membership of the panel cuts across all interest groups such as, the Youth Council, CAN, NLC, NCWS, and others for a better result.
Hon. Justice Florence Duruoha-Igwe (Rtd) is chairing the panel.
She said: “By setting up the Panel, Government has shown elasticity and responsiveness to the yearnings of the masses all over the country.”
“The Panel is only interested in finding out what really happened that is causing pains, sorrow and tears to Nigerians both high and low”.
Mr. Isaac Oguzie is the Secretary of the panel.