Anambra governor Willie Obiano has set up a panel to probe reports of human rights abuses by the defunct SARS in the state.
The probe will focus especially on allegations against James Nwafor, a special adviser on security to the governor.
It comes hours after Obiano bowed to pressure from protesting youths and fired Nwafor, a former SARS commander in Anambra who has been accused of killing and maiming many youths.
The protesters had on Wednesday blocked the Anambra State government house and the Enugu-Onitsha expressway, insisting that Obiano must address them, but they were not addressed, leading the protesters to stay at the venue late into the night.
But addressing the protesters on Thursday at the government house, Obiano said he would take their demands to President Muhammadu Buhari, while also fulfilling the ones within his power.
“I have a list of all your demands. Some of them have already been met, like the SARS being disbanded. That has already been met, and some are still in the pipeline which I am going to present to the president. The other ones are the ones I can handle myself.
“Your first request is immediate prosecution and removal of James Nwafor, the immediate release of all protesters in police custody, that will be done.
“As for compensation of the family of SARS victims, the Attorney General and the leadership of police will look into this and make recommendations to me. I support your protest, police brutality and extortion is not allowed anywhere. Any Police that does that, quietly copy his name and let us know,” Obiano said.
Dismayed
“To create a more humane social order in Anambra State, Governor Obiano has decided to set up a broad-based panel to look into reports of abuse of human rights by the defunct SARS in the state over the years, “he said.
The panel is headed by The Hon Justice V. N, Umeh, (retired) and the panel is expected to complete its job within 30 days.
The panel’s term of reference include to look, in particular, into allegations of extrajudicial killings by a former head of the SARS office in the state, Chief Superintendent of Police James Nwafor (retired), whose appointment as a Special Assistant to the Governor has since been terminated.
According to Obiano he will face prosecution if found guilty of any of the alleged offences against him.
Obiano also directed the Commissioner of Police to review all detentions in not just the SARS facilities in the state but also in all police formations to ensure that the freedoms and dignity of all citizens are upheld at all times.
