El-Rufai constitutes judicial panel of inquiry into police brutality

By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government on Friday constituted a judicial panel of inquiry into acts of police brutality in the state.

This follows the resolution of the National Economic Council (NEC) committing state governors to this and other steps to ensure accountability in the operations of police units in their states.

A statement by Muyiwa Adekeye, Special Adviser to the Governor (Media & Communication), disclosed that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into acts of brutality by police units in Kaduna Sate will be inaugurated on Monday, October 19, 2020.

“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,” he said.

Adekeye listed the following persons as members of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry:

1. Hon. Justice David Shiri Wyom (rtd.): Chairman
2. AIG Lawal Tanko (rtd)
3. Rebecca Sako-John, representing Civil Society
4. Mustapha Jumare, representing Civil Society
5. Yakubu Umar Ibrahim, representative of students
6. Nathaniel Sheyi Bagudu, representative of youths
7. Inns Binta Audu, representing the National Human Rights Commission
8. Hajara Abubakar, acting Director, Citizens Right Department of the Ministry of Justice, will represent the Attorney-General of Kaduna State.

“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 Complaints 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,” the statement added.