The Abuja judicial panel on police brutality has submitted its reports on petitions on violations of human rights by security operatives to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
Following the #EndSARS protest in 2020, the federal government had directed states — and the federal capital territory (FCT) — to set up panels to probe police brutality, including allegations against the now-disbanded special anti-robbery squad (SARS).
The 11-member panel of the FCT, which was inaugurated by the NHRC is led by Suleiman Galadima, a former justice of the supreme court.
In December 2021, TheCable had reported that the panel awarded N146 million as compensation to 27 victims of police brutality.
On September 14, the panel awarded the sum of N289 million to 74 victims of police brutality.
Speaking during the presentation of the report on Tuesday, Galadima asked the National Economic Council (NEC) to direct NHRC to harmonise the various reports of all #EndSARS panels for urgent submission to the federal government.
The retired justice suggested the establishment of victims’ compensation fund to settle the compensation of victims of brutality by security operatives.
Earlier in his remarks, Hilary Ogbonna, secretary of the panel, said over 200 petitions were received from 29 states including the federal capital territory (FCT), 95 were fully decided, 54 were withdrawn, 33 were struck out, 56 judgment debts, and 57 were referred to NHRC.
He also revealed that 72 police officers were indicted for various degrees of human rights violations, 28 recommended for prosecution, 25 for dismissal, 15 for different disciplinary actions, and four for reduction of rank.
On his part, Tony Ojukwu, executive secretary of NHRC, said the submission of the report marks the end of the two-year work of the judicial panel.
Ojukwu said the office of the attorney-general of the federation, Police Service Commission and the Nigerian Police Force have a huge responsibility to ensure full implementation of the recommendations of the panel.
