Spaces for Change (S4C), a non-profit organisation has urged the Imo State Government under the administration of Senator Hope Uzodinma to expeditiously implement the recommendations of the Imo State Judicial Commission of Inquiry into cases of police brutality and related extra-judicial killings in the state.
It would be recalled that the Imo State Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Police brutality and extra-judicial killings had submitted its findings and recommendations to the Imo State government following the conclusion of its proceedings.
Also, recall that the Commission was inaugurated by Uzodinma on October 19, 2020, following the widely reported cases of police brutality and extra-judicial killings during the #ENDSARS campaign.
The 17-man commission began sitting on November 3, 2020 and was headed by Hon. Justice Florence Duruoha-Igwe (Rtd).
Uzodimma during the inauguration of the panel had urged it to “evaluate all cases presented before them and make recommendations to Government on where compensations should be paid and also determine the appropriate punishment for the Police officers or members of the disbanded SARS that committed such crime, where necessary.”
Since inauguration, the Commission received and treated 154 petitions. Following the conclusion of the proceedings by the commission, S4C has urged the state government to ensure that all the victims of police brutality and extra-judicial killings get justice.
This was contained in a press statement issued on Friday and made available to The New Diplomat by S4C Communications Officer, Olusola Oluwafemi.
The group futher urged the State Government to immediately commence the disbursement of the sum of N770, 985, 800 to the victims as recommended by the commission.
The statement reads, “SPACES FOR CHANGE(S4C) welcomes the news regarding the conclusion of proceedings of the Imo State Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Police Brutality and Related Extrajudicial Killings and the recent submission of the Commission’s findings and recommendations to Imo State Government.
“We strongly urge Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to implement the Commission’s recommendations. That is the only way to secure justice for victims of police brutality and extrajudicial killings in the state and restore citizens’ confidence in the security apparatus and institutions of state.
“Inaugurated on the 19th of October, 2020, the Commission had the mandate to investigate all human rights abuses and brutality as well as extrajudicial killings perpetrated by the defunct SARS and other security operatives in Imo State; adjudicate on these matters and make recommendations to the Governor for the reparation of victims and prosecution of indicted security agents.
“The Commission received and treated 154 petitions and has since made recommendations on each of the cases to the Imo state government. S4C monitored these proceedings and also provided legal representation to victims of police brutality and extra-judicial killings in the state.
“S4C hereby demands that the Imo State Government expedites the implementation of the Commission’s findings and recommendations. We specifically demand the prosecution of all security personnel indicted in the report. We further urge the Imo State Government to immediately commence the disbursement of the sum of N770, 985, 800 to the victims as recommended.
“An effective implementation of the Commission’s findings and recommendations will secure justice for victims and roll back the growing erosion of public confidence in the legal system. We reiterate that justice delayed, is justice denied.”
