#EndSARS: Our police reform agenda is a game-changer, Osinbajo assures Nigerians

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), has assured that the reform package by both the federal and state authorities for the Nigeria Police would be a game-changer in ensuring an end to impunity.

The Vice President stated this when he, in company of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, received an American government delegation at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The delegation included the US Assistant Secretary, Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Bob Destro; US Assistant Secretary, Bureau for Conflict Stabilization Operations, Denise Natali; the Counselor of the US Department of State, Thomas Ulrich Brechbuhl; and the Charge d’Affairs, US Embassy, Kathleen FitzGibbon. He said the plans being executed were to investigate police brutality and prosecute erring police officers, create new state-based Security and Human Rights Committees, as well as providing compensation to victims of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police units.

According to the Vice President, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Mr Laolu Akande, at least 13 states in the country, including Lagos, had since established Judicial Panels “to seek justice and to compensate those whose rights have been breached.”

Professor Osinbajo also disclosed that the President had already supported the decisions of the National Economic Council.

It would be recalled that on October 12, the Council, which is chaired by the VP with all State Governors and FCT Minister as members, resolved on the immediate establishment of State-based Judicial Panels of Inquiry across the country to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality or related extra-judicial killings to deliver justice for all victims of the dissolved SARS and other police units.

According to Prof. Osinbajo, NEC also agreed on the provision of monetary compensation to victims and prosecution of erring officers.

While responding to the concerns of the US government on instances of impunity in the country, the Vice President noted that these efforts are part of the Nigerian government’s commitment to implement extensive police reforms adding that the establishment of Judicial Panels of Inquiry nationwide will further ensure that the Police and other security agencies ensure the protection of human rights of citizens.