#ENDSARS: RULAAC welcomes Judicial Panels of Inquiry

#ENDSARS protest in Abuja

(Nigeria) Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, RULAAC, has welcomes the decision by the Federal Executive Council and the state governors to set up Judicial Panels of Inquiry in the various states in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests by the Nigerian youth across the country.

The group in a statement by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said, “This singular outcome- the decision to set up panels of inquiry- is a major success and victory achieved by the campaign of the youth to end police brutality and entrench a culture of accountability. Therefore, we must make the best use of this rare opportunity and derive the most possible benefit from it.

“This is important, not just for the youth who have been the major targets and victims of police brutality, but for the entire society which has for many years yearned and cried for justice and an end to impunity.

“We note that some states have already set up their judicial panels of inquiry with various terms of reference and deadlines given. However, we also note that the time given to victims or their epresentatives for submission of petitions and the time given to some of the state panels to conclude  their work are too short to allow as many of the victims as possible the opportunity to submit petitions and seek justice.

“Many victims would be denied this opportunity to seek justice if the deadlines for submission and the time frame given to the panels to conclude their work and submit their reports are not extended to reasonable periods of time.

“For example, we have seen the Anambra State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality, Extrajudicial Killings and Other Related Matters: Call for Submission of Petitions, Complaints and Memoranda. The Anambra panel was inaugurated on October 20. The Secretariat of the Panel published its call for submissions two days ago - on 27/10/20. The secretariat requires all submissions to be made within two weeks of the publication of the call.  Seven days have already gone and many victims are still putting together their submissions, which requires swearing of affidavit.

“The panel has one month from the date of its inauguration to submit report to the state government.  Nine days have gone and virtually extinguished by the respective curfews imposed by state governors in their states, which make it impossible for petitioners and victims to access courts to depose to affidavits verifying the facts stated in their respective petitions.

“We call for extension of time to allow as many victims as possible to utilize this opportunity. Giving short duration for the submission and for the conclusion of work by the panels would be like placing obstacles to justice.

“Further, some of the conditions attached to the submission of memoranda or petitions are too cumbersome, complicated and prohibitive for majority of the victims who are poor. The requirement by some states to submit 15 copies is needless. As already stated, majority of the victims are poor. We believe that the Secretariats can receive one copy and make duplicates as they may require. Provisions for online submissions should also be prioritized. We must remove conditions that place obstacles to justice.

“We call for government sincerity in this process. We call on victims to make the maximum use of this opportunity. We call on civil society organisations who have, for many years, been leading this struggle against police brutality and for the entrenchment of police accountability to be on hand to assist as many victims as possible to derive maximum benefit from this opportunity. RULAAC is working with a  team of public interest lawyers to present petitions and represent some victims at some state panels.”