Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has inaugurated a 11-man judicial panel of inquiry, to investigate cases of police brutality and other related extrajudicial acts by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the state.
Oyonews reports in Ibadan on Tuesday that the panel has Hon. Justice Badejoko Adeniji as Chairman. Justice Badejoko Adeniji is a former Chief Judge of Oyo State.
Makinde stated that the panel of inquiry became necessary as a result of Police Brutality, Violation of Rights of Citizens and Unlawful Killings.
Members of the panel are drawn from the legal community, the National Human Rights Commission, the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP), the National Youth Council of Nigeria, youth representatives of End SARS protesters and the community.
Governor Makinde said, “This panel was constituted pursuant to Section 2 (1) of the Oyo State Commission of Inquiry Law Cap 32 of the Laws of Oyo State 2000 which empowers the Governor to set up a commission of inquiry. However, as the scope is beyond Oyo State, we are collaborating with the Federal Government”.
“I encouraged anyone who has faced human rights abuse in the hands of any of the security forces to use this opportunity to seek justice. I also stated that those responsible for the deaths of Isiaka Jimoh, Ganiyu Moshood Alabi, and Adeoye Taiwo would be brought to book”, he said.
Governor Makinde also clarified the misrepresentation of the position of the Southwest leaders on the so-called social media bill. He said, “Contrary to media reports, our position remains that since we already have an extensive Cybercrime Act, 2015 we do not need any other bills to regulate social media”.