By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The Governor of Ebonyi state, Engr. David Nweze Umahi has inaugurated an-8-man committee judicial panel of investigation to help respond to the legal needs of victims of Police brutality to enable them have access to justice.
Gov. Umahi who inaugurated the committee in the new government house, Abakaliki noted that the committee is mandated to investigate police brutality, human right violation and bring to book prepertrator of human rights violation.
He stated that the Committee is to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality, human rights violations, extra-judicial killings, evaluate the evidence presented and recommend compensation and other remedial measures, where appropriate and submit its report within 6 months of its inauguration.
The chairman of the committee is the former Chief Judge, Ebonyi of State, Chief Justice Aloy Nwankwo, Emmanuel Onwe (Esq) as the secretary of the committee, while the members include: a former police officer, AIG Kelvin Opoke (Rtd), Igwe Uche, Olisa Nwuruku, Emmanuel Obasi, Barr Louisa Nwebonyi and Christopher Okorie.
Engr. Umahi said, “The Judicial Panel shall have powers and authority to hold here which shall be conducted in accordance with the provision of the Commission of Inquiry Law, Cap 29 of Ebonyi State of Nigeria.”
“I hereby direct that the Panel shall commence sitting in Abakaliki soon after the they are sworn in and thereafter hold the state inquiry such places and upon such dates and as the Chairman may dim fit.”
“I further direct that the chairman of the Committee and the members shall before commencing assignment shall make and subscribe to an appropriate code under section 6 of the Commission of Inquiry.”
The Governor also set up Special Security and Human Rights Committee to be headed by himself, in line with the directive of the meeting.
He further ordered that the protest be called off, as the panel of investigation has been inaugurated, he appealled to members of the public to be law abiding, adding that the government has learnt its lessons.
“The #END SARS lessons have been learnt by we leaders, and we pledge that we are going to make amends.”
He equally set up the Human Rights Complaint office to be headed by Chief Emmanuel Obasi as Ombudusman.
