ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi
The Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up to investigate human right abuses by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force in Bauchi State said it has so far received 10 written petitions.
Justice Habibu Shall (rtd), the Panel’s Chairman, who disclosed this at the inaugural sitting of the Panel which took place at the old High Court number 2 Complex, Bauchi on Wednesday said that the panel will listen to oral presentations as some of the victims have agreed to make oral statements as well as present prove of the happenings in order to assist the panel in the process.
While promising the panel’s readiness to be just and fair to all in discharging its assignment, he assured that every petitioner will be given adequate time and protection in the course of presenting his/her petition.
Shall disclosed that some lawyers have indicated readiness to represent petitioners free of charge.
He urged lawyers to show decorum and behave in accordance with the legal practice ethics while appearing before the panel stressing that unnecessary adjournment which may cause delays will not be granted by the panel.
The Panel Chairman called on journalists covering the Panel’s sittings to be fair and objective in their reportage appealing that sensationalism of the events at the panel should be avoided.
The Bauchi State Chief Judge, Justice Rabi Talatu Umar, in her remark, commended the State Government for constituting the panel saying that it was in line with the directives by the federal government to ensure that justice was done to all the victims of the brutality.
She also assured that her office will give the panel all necessary support to enable it discharge the onerous responsibility assigned to it.
The Attorney – General and Commissioner for Justice Bauchi State, Barrister Bello Kirfi charged the panel members to be fair and objective stressing that they should not be deterred by the onerous task ahead of them.
While saying that though the state did not witness the wanton destruction that followed the violent protests across the country during the #ENDSARS protests, he agreed that there are human rights abuses which he noted, were very minimal.
According to him, considering the number of petitions received by the panel, Bauchi State can be said to be fairly treated by the Police he however, called on the general public to come out if they have any complaints.
Kirfi who assured that the panel will be just to all just as he commended legal practitioners who have agreed to appear freely for petitioners before the panel and urged them to be professionals and ethical in their appearance before the panel.
Bauchi State Police Command in its remarks promised to cooperate with the panel in the discharge of its function to ensure that every information required by the panel will be made available without delay.