…Prosecution of security personnel indicts in report
Stanley Ihedigbo
Leading civil society in Nigeria, Space for Change (S4C) has urged the Imo government to immediately commence the disbursement of the sum of N770, 985, 800 to the victims as recommended by the State Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Police Brutality and Related Extrajudicial Killings.
They specifically demanded the prosecution of all security personnel indicted in the report.
Speaking in a press conference in Lagos, Executive Director, S4C, Ms. Victoria Ibezim, said that they welcomed the news regarding the conclusion of proceedings of the commission’s findings and recommendations to the Imo State Government.
“We strongly urge Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to implement the Commission’s recommendations. That is the only way to secure justice for victims of police brutality and extrajudicial killings in the state and restore citizens’ confidence in the security apparatus and institutions of the state.
She noted that the commission was inaugurated on the 19th of October, 2020, with the mandate to investigate all human rights abuses and brutality as well as extrajudicial killings perpetrated by the defunct SARS and other security operatives in Imo State; adjudicate on these matters and make recommendations to the Governor for the reparation of victims and prosecution of indicted security agents.
“The Commission received and treated 154 petitions and has since made recommendations on each of the cases to the Imo state government. S4C monitored these proceedings and also provided legal representation to victims of police brutality and extra-judicial killings in the state. We hereby demand that the Imo State Government expedites the implementation of the Commission’s findings and recommendations.
“An effective implementation of the Commission’s findings and recommendations will secure justice for victims and roll back the growing erosion of public confidence in the legal system. We reiterate that justice delayed is justice denied,” she stressed.
