#EndSARS: S4C Seeks Justice For Victims Before Abuja And Imo Judicial Panels of Enquiry

A group under the aegis of SPACES FOR CHANGE, S4C, has provided
free legal representation and support to more victims of police
brutality, extra-judicial killings and #EndSARS protests at the
Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations by
Defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and Other Units of the
Nigerian Police Force before the National Human Rights Commission
Secretariat in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

One of the cases they handled was between a teenager and the
Officer in Charge of SARS, Guzape Division, Abuja; FCT Commissioner
of Police and the Inspector General of the Police (IGP).

The teenager was shot several times on his right hand, illegally
detained and denied access to healthcare for several days by SARS
officers who claimed to be investigating a kidnap case in the area.
The incident left the teenager with a severe nerve damage of his
right hand.

The petition came up for hearing on Feb 26, 2021, and the S4C’s
legal team that represented the teenager was led by Omotayo Odukola
and Eroga Godspower

They led evidence in support of the Petitioner’s case and
tendered additional information to back up the facts established in
the petition. The teenager testified before the panel, recounting
the horrific details of his ordeal at the hands of SARS officers.
SXZ, is still undergoing treatment and therapy due to the loss of
nervous coordination on his right hand caused by the gunshots. The
treatment and therapy sessions have also drained his finances.
Concluding his testimony, the Petitioner demanded compensation in
the sum of Three Hundred Million Naira (N300,000.00) for the
trauma, illegal detention, cost of medical expenses and the
violation of his constitutional rights prohibiting torture and
inhuman treatment. He also prayed the Panel to order the release of
his mobile phones, computer and other personal belongings that were
illegally taken from him and his relatives by SARS operatives. The
Petitioner also demanded a public apology from the office of the
IGP.

According to the S4C, “Counsel to the Respondents admitted that
the Petitioner is a victim of police brutality. He promised to
ensure the return of the phones and computer seized from the
Petitioner and his relatives. He, however, informed the Panel that
the Petitioner is currently before High Court of the Federal
Capital Territory on the same subject matter. The Panel directed
Respondents’ counsel to identify the officers involved in shooting
the Petitioner so that they can be brought to justice. The matter
was further adjourned to 13th April, 2021 for cross-examination and
possible conclusion of hearing.”

The Group handled another matter before the Imo Judicial Panel
of Inquiry. S4C’s Legal Officer, Kingsley Ogam-Okafor, Esq. moved a
motion for the Commission of Inquiry to consolidate multiple
petitions brought by family members in respect of the same matter
of Mrs O’s whose late husband was shot and killed by officers of 34
Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Obinze, Imo State during
the EndSars protest and same was granted.

S4C led Mrs. O, the deceased’s wife in evidence. She adopted the
petition before the Commission of Inquiry and demanded compensation
in the sum of One Hundred Million Naira for the extrajudicial
killing of her husband

The panel granted the application of the petitioner to foreclose
the Respondents from cross examining the petitioner due to their
antecedent of always being absent at the proceedings.

matter was adjourned to March 8 for adoption of final
address

“Because the Respondent (Commandant of the 34 Artillery Brigade,
Obinze or their legal representatives) were absent, and as such,
could not cross-examine the Petitioner, S4C moved another motion to
foreclose the Nigerian Army from cross examining the petitioner.
The motion was hinged on the antecedents of the Respondents in
failing to appear before the Judicial Panel since the commencement
of the panel sittings. Their nonchalant attitude to the proceedings
further evinces a disdain for the Commission.

“The Counsel to the Commission equally applied to the Commission
to take cognizance of the persistent absence of the Respondents in
all the petitions brought against them. He supported S4C’s motion
to foreclose the Respondent from cross-examining the Petitioner and
her witnesses. Delivering the ruling on the applications, the
Chairman of the Commission, Hon Justice Florence Duruoha-Igwe
(Rtd), granted the reliefs sought. The matter was adjourned to
March 8 for the adoption of final address. S4C is continuing to
provide legal representation to victims of police brutality and
#EndSARS protests with support from the Fund for Global Human
Rights (FGHR).” the group said

A group under the aegis of SPACES FOR CHANGE, S4C, has provided
free legal representation and support to more victims of police
brutality, extra-judicial killings and #EndSARS protests at the
Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations by
Defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and Other Units of the
Nigerian Police Force before the National Human Rights Commission
Secretariat in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

One of the cases they handled was between a teenager and the
Officer in Charge of SARS, Guzape Division, Abuja; FCT Commissioner
of Police and the Inspector General of the Police (IGP).

The teenager was shot several times on his right hand, illegally
detained and denied access to healthcare for several days by SARS
officers who claimed to be investigating a kidnap case in the area.
The incident left the teenager with a severe nerve damage of his
right hand.

The petition came up for hearing on Feb 26, 2021, and the S4C’s
legal team that represented the teenager was led by Omotayo Odukola
and Eroga Godspower

They led evidence in support of the Petitioner’s case and
tendered additional information to back up the facts established in
the petition. The teenager testified before the panel, recounting
the horrific details of his ordeal at the hands of SARS officers.
SXZ, is still undergoing treatment and therapy due to the loss of
nervous coordination on his right hand caused by the gunshots. The
treatment and therapy sessions have also drained his finances.
Concluding his testimony, the Petitioner demanded compensation in
the sum of Three Hundred Million Naira (N300,000.00) for the
trauma, illegal detention, cost of medical expenses and the
violation of his constitutional rights prohibiting torture and
inhuman treatment. He also prayed the Panel to order the release of
his mobile phones, computer and other personal belongings that were
illegally taken from him and his relatives by SARS operatives. The
Petitioner also demanded a public apology from the office of the
IGP.

According to the S4C, “Counsel to the Respondents admitted that
the Petitioner is a victim of police brutality. He promised to
ensure the return of the phones and computer seized from the
Petitioner and his relatives. He, however, informed the Panel that
the Petitioner is currently before High Court of the Federal
Capital Territory on the same subject matter. The Panel directed
Respondents’ counsel to identify the officers involved in shooting
the Petitioner so that they can be brought to justice. The matter
was further adjourned to 13th April, 2021 for cross-examination and
possible conclusion of hearing.”

The Group handled another matter before the Imo Judicial Panel
of Inquiry. S4C’s Legal Officer, Kingsley Ogam-Okafor, Esq. moved a
motion for the Commission of Inquiry to consolidate multiple
petitions brought by family members in respect of the same matter
of Mrs O’s whose late husband was shot and killed by officers of 34
Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Obinze, Imo State during
the EndSars protest and same was granted.

S4C led Mrs. O, the deceased’s wife in evidence. She adopted the
petition before the Commission of Inquiry and demanded compensation
in the sum of One Hundred Million Naira for the extrajudicial
killing of her husband

The panel granted the application of the petitioner to foreclose
the Respondents from cross examining the petitioner due to their
antecedent of always being absent at the proceedings.

matter was adjourned to March 8 for adoption of final
address

“Because the Respondent (Commandant of the 34 Artillery Brigade,
Obinze or their legal representatives) were absent, and as such,
could not cross-examine the Petitioner, S4C moved another motion to
foreclose the Nigerian Army from cross examining the petitioner.
The motion was hinged on the antecedents of the Respondents in
failing to appear before the Judicial Panel since the commencement
of the panel sittings. Their nonchalant attitude to the proceedings
further evinces a disdain for the Commission.

“The Counsel to the Commission equally applied to the Commission
to take cognizance of the persistent absence of the Respondents in
all the petitions brought against them. He supported S4C’s motion
to foreclose the Respondent from cross-examining the Petitioner and
her witnesses. Delivering the ruling on the applications, the
Chairman of the Commission, Hon Justice Florence Duruoha-Igwe
(Rtd), granted the reliefs sought. The matter was adjourned to
March 8 for the adoption of final address. S4C is continuing to
provide legal representation to victims of police brutality and
#EndSARS protests with support from the Fund for Global Human
Rights (FGHR).” the group said