Anthony Iwuoma
The Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violation by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other Units of the Nigeria Police Force, IIP-SARS, has submitted its report to the Federal Government, two years after it was set up.
Justice Suleiman Galadima (rtd), the chairman of the panel, while presenting the report, said it twice awarded compensations to some victims and urged the National Economic Council (NEC) to ensure implementation of its report.
Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu SAN, who received the report on behalf of the Federal Government, noted that compensation payment was just one of the steps on the road to justice.
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“There is still the need to hold indicted officers of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, accountable for these violations. In this regard, I welcome the decisions and indictments issued by the Justice Galadima panel and I want to assure Nigerians and the victims and their families that NHRC will do everything possible to ensure that the decisions are implemented, Ojukwu said.
“We will study these recommendations and work with the NPF, relevant committees in the National Assembly, civil society and development partners to implement these reforms.”
According to the panel secretary, Hillary Ogbonna, the panel received a total of 295 petitions. It decided 95 petitions and struck out 33; 54 petitions were withdrawn, 57 referred to NHRC, while 56 others were judgment petitions.
In all, 72 police officers were indicted for various human rights violations; while 25 officers were recommended for dismissal, 15 others are to suffer reduction in ranks.
Also, the commission reportedly compensated 39 petitioners of extra-judicial killings with N220 million, among others.
Of the 295 petitions from 29 states, Delta, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos, Anambra, Benue, Imo and Rivers, Enugu, Kaduna, Oyo and Cross River were credited as having the highest number.
