‘150 complaints received on human rights violation against SARS’

Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Tony Ojukwu on Wednesday disclosed that the commission has received 150 complaints of human rights violations against the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and the Police across the Federal Capital Territory and the six geo-political zones so far. He said the closing date for submission for complaints will […]

Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Tony Ojukwu on Wednesday disclosed that the commission has received 150 complaints of human rights violations against the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and the Police across the Federal Capital Territory and the six geo-political zones so far.

He said the closing date for submission for complaints will now remain open.

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Speaking at the first sitting of the Independent Investigative Panel (IIP) on Allegations of Human Rights violations by officers of FSARS and other tactical units of the police force in Abuja, he said complaints for the panel has kept pouring in.

To improve access, he said the commission was collaborating with the Nigerian Bar Association to assist complainants to articulate their complaints and be represented before the panel in pro bono basis.

He said the panel shall use any procedure convenient for it to carry out its investigations, so as to arrive at substantial justice.

He said the panel will not be bound by strict rules of evidence or procedure, nor will the panel be bugged down by theoretical or practical technicalities.

He urged the panel to focus on substantial justice to both the complaints and the alleged violators because it was Human Right Commission panel hence, it must not be involved in miscarriage of justice.

Ojukwu noted that the terms of reference for the panel amongst others was to investigate allegations of human rights violations and abuse of power made against the defunct FSARS and other units if the police.

He said they were also saddled with the responsibility to make determination as to the charges or compensation payable in relation to any violation of human rights where it deems necessary in the circumstances of the case.

He said they were also to make recommendations to government on measures to be taken in respect of operatives of defunct FSARS or officers of the Nigerian Police Force, hence if any was found in violation of the human rights of citizens.

He said the panel was also set up as implementation of one of the recommendations of the 2018 presidential panel report on FSARS reforms which amongst other things recommended the institutionalisation of an annual mechanism by the commission to listen to the complaints of human rights violations by officers of the police for purposes of accountability of human rights violations and prevention of impunity.

Ojukwu stated that the panel was set of in pursuant to the inherent mandate of the Commission to investigate human rights violations in accordance with sections 6(1)(a,d,e,f and g) of the Commission’s act 1995 as amended by NHRC amendment Act 2010.

He clarified the relationship between the states panels of inquiries and the IIP of the NHRC at the national levels saying that the various panels were set up to by the Federal government to address the ongoing FSARS protest demands.

However, he noted that it was expedient to provide near avenues for canvassing complaints against FSARS and other police personnel and hence the need for concurrent panels in all the states.

He explained that the state panel reports and recommendations will be submitted to the NHRC IIP at Abuja and it will compile a single report from the state recommendations for implementation by the federal government.

On his part, Chairman of the panel, Justice Sulieman Galadima said the panel will be abide by the rules of natural justice and be fair to all.

He said justice would be served to all victims of human rights violations.

Representing the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Dayo Apata said the government was planning to have a legal department in the Nigerian Police Force to always provide legal advise when necessary.

He also called for the quick passage of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) by every state.

Malami noted that his office was ready to receive the recommendations of the panel and prosecute anyone that was indicted.