NHRC receives panel findings from in16 of 29 states on # ENDSARS

Sixteen of the 29 states have reported #EndSARS panels to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

According to NAN, the committees were established to look into allegations of human rights abuses committed by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police groups.

The federal government established the panel in November 2020 in the administration of then-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in response to widespread demonstrations.

At a celebration in Abuja commemorating three years since the #EndSARS protests and the submission of a report by the non-governmental group Enough is Enough (EIE), Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Anthony Ojukwu made the announcement.

Ojukwu praised EIE for conducting an investigation into the demonstration and delivering a report on its findings. Over N530 million was paid out in compensation to victims and their relatives, he recalled.

He said: “It is a very important step performed by EIE, which aims to commemorate the 2020 #EndSARS protest. It’s part of the fight to keep the #EndSARS hashtag trending. Approximately 29 of the states have established panels, of which NHRC is a mandatory participant. The commission also established a team in Abuja to conduct its own impartial probe.

“Today, EIE has made a tremendous advance in putting up this report. I encourage the states that have not yet filed their reports to do so, as this initiative is geared towards police reforms. The commission will conduct a thorough examination and report once the remaining states have also submitted their plans.

Moreover, Chino Obiagwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, observed, “There were petitions, over 6,000, largely from the poor, begging for justice. Fearing retaliation from law enforcement, these groups eventually buried or retracted their petitions.

The #EndSARS rally taught us nothing. The lack of reprimand has given the Nigerian Police false confidence. It caused the protest’s original purpose to be lost on the public. No officers who were accused of wrongdoing faced charges.

He advocated for investigations into police brutality and punishment for any officers found guilty of wrongdoing.

In reference to judgement debts against the government, Obiagwu continued, “The money should be deducted from the budget of the department that caused the situation, so that everyone concerned can feel the accountability.

There has to be a revision of police academies’ curricula. Officers should get regular training on best practises from the Police Service Commission, the Inspector General of Police, and the NHRC.