Following the wave of #EndSARS protests by Nigerian youths across the country, the Kaduna State Government on Friday constituted a judicial panel of inquiry to look into acts of police brutality in the state.
It follows Thursday’s National Economic Council (NEC) resolutions which committed state governors across the country to constitute the panel.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai disclosed that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry will look into acts of brutality by police units in Kaduna Sate and will be inaugurated on Monday, 19th October 2020.
A statement from Sir Kashim Ibrahim House and signed by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication stated that the action was based on the resolution of the National Economic Council “committing state governors to this and other steps to ensure accountability in the operations of police units in their states.”
“Further to the resolutions of the meeting of the National Economic Council held on Thursday, 15th October 2020, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has approved the constitution of a judicial commission of inquiry into acts of police brutality in Kaduna State,” it further stated.
Members of the panel include: Hon. Justice David Shiri Wyom (rtd.) as Chairman; AIG Lawal Tanko (rtd); Rebecca Sako-John, representing the Civil Society; Mustapha Jumare, representing Civil Society; Yakubu Umar Ibrahim, representing students; Nathaniel Sheyi Bagudu, representing youths; Inna Binta Audu, representing the National Human Rights Commission and Hajara Abubakar, acting Director, Citizens Right Department of the Ministry of Justice who will represent the Attorney-General of Kaduna State.
It stated that representatives of civil society and youth groups will be appointed to join the Governor and heads of security agencies deployed in Kaduna State on the Special Security and Human Rights Committee that will oversee the activities of security agencies.
“This will be followed by the appointment of members of the Human Rights Complaints Team and the posting of officers to a complaint office to enable members of the public lodge reports on the activities of security agencies and that will be forwarded to the Special Security and Human Rights Committee for appropriate action,” it stated.
