The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday presented the sum of N149m to 27 victims of police brutalities in 20 cases so far approved by the Independent Investigative Panel on human rights violations by the disbanded Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police units.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Tony Ojukwu SAN, in an opening remark said the commission feel fulfilled because when they set up the IIP-SARS some months ago many people did not believe them but today Justice Suleiman Galadima (rtd) led investigative panel has proven that they are out to protect and promote human rights in the country.
NHRC boss said the presentation of compensation to victims of police brutality was not an end to itself but a way to assure Nigerians that they are committed to the cause of protecting the rights of the citizens and foreigners alike, stressing that they are committed to changing the narrative as impunity on trampling on the rights of citizens must be halted
“Today we feel fulfilled that the commission is providing succour to victims of police brutality. We are doing this because Nigeria is obligated on international human rights treaties to uphold the rights and dignity of those living in the country.
“Therefore, we cannot achieve this alone because the promotion of citizens rights needs the corporation of all, it should not be left with the commission alone because injury or injustice to one is injury and injustice for all,” he said.
On his part, the chairman of the 11-man panel, Justice Suleiman Galadima (rtd) said the members of the panel were happy with the leadership of the commission for providing an enabling environment for them to thrive.
He noted that what they are doing today (Thursday) was not a complete report, but urged the commission, states and federal government to implement all the other reports from the states and the FCT.
However, the panel secretary, Hilary Ogbonna reported that the panel received 279 petitions from 29 states of the federation.
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He noted that the panel has reached a conclusion for about 144 cases; out of the 144 cases, the panel also reached a decision on 75 cases and approved compensation for 20 cases that were compensated on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the panel secretary explained that “what the panel and the commission have done today was to provide remedy to the victims while the institutional and prosecutorial justice will continue.
He further noted that one of the challenges the panel encountered was the inability of the police to carry out the orders of the panel. It will be recalled that the IIP-SARS was inaugurated in November 2020 barely eleven months after the commission has started implementing the panel’s reports though with succour to victims first.
