The Attoney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has assured that Police Officers indicted in the report of the Presidential Investigation Panel (PIP) on allegations of human rights violations would be arraigned in court soon.
The Presidential Investigation Panel (PIP) is probing allegations of human rights violations levelled against the Special Anti,-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Police.
The AGF who made gave the assurance at the inaugural sitting of the newly constituted Independent Investigative Panel on human rights violations by defunct SARS and other units of the Nigerian Police force noted that “the federal government is committed to the protection of lives and property of citizens”.
He said the government will not waiver in ensuring that any person or group who violates the rights of the citizens are brought to book in accordance with the law.
The Minister of Justice who was represented at the occasion by the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary federal ministry of justice, Dayo Apata (SAN), stated that the speed at which the Office of the AGF is moving with the PIP report submitted to AGF by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on 19th October, 2020 demonstrates that the Ministry is on top gear towards prosecuting the indicted persons.
According to the AGF, the federal ministry of justice has also concluded plans to meet with the Attorneys General of the 36 states of the federation to ensure a hitch free inquiries into the alleged Police brutalities at the state level which he noted will be working together with the relevant authorities at the federal government level to ensure justice to every one.
Similarly, the Chief Law Officer of the federation hinted that in line with the federal government determination to ensure a total reform of the Police force, the Office of AGF will be sending legal officers whose responsibility will be to give legal advice to the Police headquarters and other Police Commands across the federation.
The AGF also used the opportunity to appeal to states of the federation to work towards a quick passage of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act which he noted will assist in decongestng detention centres given its recommendation of non-custodian sentencing among other provisions.
Further, He commended the National Human Rights Commission for living up to its mandate of promoting, protecting and enforcing the rights of all Nigerians and other nationals living in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the panel, Justice Sulieman Galadima assured Nigerians that the panel will carry out the inquiry dispassionately.
The former Justice of the Supreme Court also disclosed that the panel has so far received 148 petitions from Nigerians involving allegations of human rights violations.
He solicited the cooperation of the members of the public, the lawyers, the Police and complainants to arrive at informed and balanced decisions regarding the cases before the panel.
In his welcome.address, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu Esq. stated that “the panel has come as a soothing balm for Nigeria considering the various allegations of human rights infractions by members of the public against defunct SARS and other units of the Police force.
According to the Executive Secretary, the panel is indeed a soothing balm for many Nigerians who have been itching for an opportunity to have their complaints against SARS and other units of the Police force heard.
Speaking further, the Human Rights Boss stated that the panel will listen to all complaints against SARS, with a view to ensuring accountability which will in turn check impunity in the operation of officers and men of the Nigeria Police force.
Ojukwu used the opportunity to make some clarifications on the relationship between the panel and state inquiries going on in the 36 states of the federation.
He said “the state panel reports and recommendations will be submitted to the NHRC IIP at Abuja which will compile a single report from the states recommendations for the implementation by the federal government, and submit a single report as it relates to matters within the competence of the federal government for implementation”
He also commended the federal government for taking the necessary steps in implementing the 2018 presidential panel report on SARS and police reforms.
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