The Independent Investigative Panel on alleged human rights violations by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS sitting in Abuja, has ordered the arrest of some officers of the Nigerian Police for not appearing before it after several requests on a case of alleged extrajudicial killing filed by Mr. Godwin Onomrerhino.
Mr. Godwin Onomrerhino, on December 3, 2021 narrated how his son, Mr. Ovoke Onomrerhino was allegedly killed by members of the defunct SARS and his remains yet to be released to the family for burial.
The officers mentioned in the petition who are supposed to assist the panel ensure justice in the case but failed to appear before it are Sergeants Musa Sunday, Lucky Okuku and Lucky Kehinde of Delta State command.
Acting Chairman of the Panel, Dr Garba Tetengi in a ruling ordered the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed to ensure that the officers appear before the Panel on the April 4 2021.
According to the Acting Chairman of the panel, the officers fragrantly disobeyed the orders of the panel to appear before it or produce documents that will assist the panel achieve its mandate in the said case.
It would be recalled that following the nationwide protests against police brutality, tagged #EndSARS, in Nigeria, one of the demands of the protesters was an establishment of a panel of judicial enquiry to try officers who have been involved in cases of human rights abuses and to give justice to victims and their families.
It is based on this that the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, set up the Independent Investigative panel on rights violations by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad SARS.
Dominica Nwabufo
