The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has announced that the independent investigative panel on alleged human rights violations by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad will reconvene today (Tuesday).
The commission also stated that the panel’s goal was to restore human dignity and hold perpetrators of human rights violations accountable.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the NHRC’s Deputy Director, Public Affairs and External Linkages, Fatimah Mohammed, while the commission awarded monetary compensation to families and victims of police brutality on the panel’s recommendation in December 2021, several cases remained unresolved.
She stated that 297 petitions from across the country had been received concerning illegal arrest and detention, cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment, and extrajudicial killing.
Mohammed stated, “Out of these cases, 25 were struck out, 12 were withdrawn, one was dismissed, 75 cases had panel decisions, and 20 cases were slated for monetary compensation, which had since been awarded by the commission.
“While the panel adjourned sine die due to lack of funding to continue with the remaining cases, the commission was able to acquire some funds for the panel to continue sitting.
“The panel is expected to sit for an initial period of six weeks (with breaks at intervals) to hear a total of 92 cases, which include 29 general cases, 12 part-heard cases, and 51 cases involving judgment debts.
“The commission is using this medium to seek the support and cooperation of the police and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that perpetrators of police brutality are made to face the wrath of the law.
“The IIP-SARS was set up by the Federal Government in November 2020, following the #EndSARS protest, which was triggered by nationwide allegations of police brutality.
“A similar panel established in 2018 and chaired by the Executive Secretary of the commission, Tony Ojukwu (SAN), had earlier submitted its report to the President. The report contained far-reaching recommendations, which led to some of the ongoing reforms in the Nigeria Police Force.”