The Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, has set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality and other extra-judicial killings in the State.
A statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, on Sunday in Jos, said the governor had approved the appointment of members of the panel.
The Federal Government had last directed state governor to set judicial panels to investigate allegations of brutality and extortions leveled against the Special Anti Robbery Squad unit of the police which is at the centre of on-going protest across the country.
The #EndSARS protests entered the 13th day on Monday, and youth across the country have demanded the disbandment of the unit and investigation into its activities.
Macham said the panel was required to investigate complaints of police brutality and related extra judicial killings in the state, with a view to delivering justice for all victims of the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police units.
He said the action was in line with the recommendation of the National Economic Council (NEC) for the establishment of State-based Judicial Panels of Inquiry by Governors to collate complaints and ensure accountability in the operations of police units in their respective States.
According to the statement, the panel is to be headed by a retired Judge of the Plateau State High Court, Justice Philomena Lot, and was expected to carry out its assignment and submit its report within six months.
Other members of the panel are: retired Commissioner of Police Garba Patrick; Mr Ezekiel Dauda Daschen (Youth Representative), Mrs. Rauta Dakok (Rep. of Attorney General’s Office); and Mrs Kiyempia Mafuyai (Representative of Human Rights Commission).
The director said the panel in addition to investigating complaints would valuate evidence and draw conclusions on validity of complaints, as well as recommend compensation and other remedial measures, among other things.
