Press Statement by the Honourable Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, OlawaleFapohunda.
Update on the Ekiti State Judicial Panel of Inquiry into Allegations of Human Rights Violations against Police 0fficers including Officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other Persons
Gentlemen,
I thank you for coming to this press briefing.
2. In view of the enormous public interest that has been shown in the working of the Ekiti State Judicial Panel of Inquiry into Allegations of Human Rights Violations against Police Officers including officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other Persons, it has become necessary to provide additional updates on its workings and most importantly how members of the public specifically victims of police brutality can access the panel.
3. You will recall that on Thursday 22 October 2020, His Excellency, Governor Kayode Fayemiinaugurated a 12-person panel to investigate allegations of rights abuses against police officers and specifically officers of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). According to Mr. Governor this was an important first step in responding to concerns from the #ENDSARS protesters.
4. Mr. Governor said in his speech that the administration has been very clear about our support for the core subject matter of the ENDSARS campaign. That we do not accept the criminalization of young people irrespective of the clothes they wear, their hairstyle, or the type of phone they own. That we firmly believe that there exist in our Laws ample provisions for dealing with young persons who come into conflict with the Law.
5. The expectation of the State Government is that the sittings of the Judicial panel will give our youths an opportunity speak openly about their experiences to enable us have a better understanding of the depth of the problem and most importantly find a sustainable solution.
6. Mr. Governor did also mention that the State government is aware that there are persons who have been victims of the protests. Such persons will benefit from the sittings of the Panel. This is in addition to Police Officers; a number of them have been victims of violence in their line of duty.
7. It is for these reasons that unlike other States,Ekiti State proposed a uniquely broad terms of reference for the consideration of the Judicial Panel.
The Judicial Panel is to do the following:
• Receive and Investigate complaints of Police brutality or related extra-judicial killings;
• Receive and Investigate complaints of violence against police officers during protests in Ekiti State;
• Receive and Investigate complaints of violence against individuals by protesters in all parts of Ekiti State;
• Evaluate evidence presented and other surrounding circumstances, and draw conclusions as to the validity of the complaints; and
• Recommend compensation and other remedial measures, where appropriate.
8. While the duration of the sittings of the Panel will be 6 months, the Chairman of the Panel will be expected to provide monthly briefings to the Honourable Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice to further enhance the speedy consideration of all complaints. The State Government has also established a Victims Compensation Fund to facilitate the speedy payment of monetary compensation to deserving victims.
9. There have been some questions on the composition of the Panel. We have deliberately selected members of the Panel to reflect our peculiar situation in Ekiti State. It is no coincidence that we have a large number of youth representatives on the Panel. The presence of representatives of Access to Justice Institutions is also strategic.
10. It is our expectation that in addition to deliberating of the Panels’ terms of reference, sittings of the Panel will provide an opportunity for our youth population to better understand the workings of our justice institutions. So that well after the Panel must have concluded it sittings they will be able to access these institutions to solve access to justice and human rights issues affecting young people before such issues get out of hand.
11.These are the concrete steps we have taken since the inauguration of the Judicial Panel.a. The panel has held its first closed door session. The purpose of the session was to achieve a shared understanding of its terms of reference, agree on a code of conduct for members as well as deliberate on key communication strategies for achieving public participation at its sittings. The Panel will hold its second closed door session today. b. The Panel has published a flyer giving details of how petitions can be submitted to the Panels’ secretariat. We have liberalized the process of submission of petitions. For emphasis, petitions will be received by the secretariat through multiple government and non-government persons and institutions. We have enabled an email account as well as a Facebook and twitter account to enhance effective communication.c. I should also state that the petition does not have to follow any strict format. A simple complaints letter, stating when and what happened to the Petitioner, where it happened and identifying the violator will suffice. We deliberately located the Secretariat in the Department of Citizens Rights in the Ministry of Justice so that Petitioners can also get help with writing the petition. d. Concerning the timeline. There have been a lot of concerns about the 2ndNovember deadline. A number of persons have said that this timeframe is to short. Let me state clearly that the Panel will continue to receive Petitions throughout its sittings. No one will be shut out. We have included a time line in consideration for those victims that require immediate support. e. For example, we are aware of a number of persons that require help with medical costs. We can’t in all fairness ask these persons to wait for too long a period. In addition, without petitions the Panel cannot sit. It is important that the Panel is seen to commence work immediately so as to inspire citizens’confidence in its ability to deliver justice speedily.f. The sittings of the Panel will be at the Fountain Hotel, Ado-Ekiti. The first public sitting of the panel will be held on November 2, 2020. The sittings will be open to the public as far as possible. Except in such instances where there is a need to protect the identities of victims or witnesses. g. For purposes of clarity, the filing of Petitions before the Panel is not limited to victims of police abuse alone. Concerned individuals who have constructive ideas on how to improve policing in Ekiti State in a manner that protects rights of citizens are also free to submit petitions to the panel.
12.Finally I want to use this opportunity to invite the media to support our public enlightenment programmes on the activities of the panel.
I thank you