Published 27th Oct, 2021

By Daniel Ojukwu

The Ebonyi Police Command has said that it has not been briefed on recommendations by the state’s judicial panel of inquiry for sanctions of officers guilty of brutality and extra judicial killings.

Loveth Obianuju, spokesperson for Ebonyi police, told FIJ she could not provide information on actions taken as her office had not been briefed on the panel’s recommendations.

On September 16, the panel led by Justice Alloy Nwankwo recommended sanctions and punishments for security agencies involved in extrajudicial killings, brutality and other forms of human rights violations.

In its submission to Dave Umahi, Ebonyi State Governor, the panel also recommended the payment of N189 million compensation to victims of extra-judicial killings and human rights violations in the state.

Nwankwo said, “In cases of extra-judicial killings, uniform compensation is recommended, while in other cases of brutality, compensation should be made based on the peculiarity of each case. In matters where judgement had already been given by the courts, the panel recommends the enforcement of the court judgement.”

The panel first sat on November 2, 2020, 13 days after #EndSARS protests ended. FIJ gathered that 71 petitions were received throughout the panel’s sittings. Among them was that of Ugbala Solomon, a pastor, who stated that officers of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police killed two of his church members.

According to Solomon, the officers claimed the victims were kidnappers who died during a shootout with the police. However, the panel determined only 51 out of all the petitions received and struck 20 out for lack of diligent prosecution.

Petitions pending in court were also struck out as the panel lacked the power to treat such matters.

This report was produced through the ‘You Matter in this Matter’ Project being implemented by YouthHubAfrica, Onelife Initiative, Cedar Seed Foundation and FIJ, with support from Voice Nigeria.

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