The Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Kaduna state Government to investigate complaints of Police Brutality and human right violations has submitted its report to the state government by recommending prosecution of some erring Police officers and immediate payment of compensation.
The Chairman of the Commission, Retired Justice David Wyom presented the report to the Deputy governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe at Government House Kaduna.
Justice Wyom told the Deputy Governor that, the panel had received a total of sixty four petitions out of which six were struck out on application of the petitioners while thirteen by the panel due to lack of diligent prosecution.
He explained that, the panel has recommended payment of over two hundred and seventy one million naira as compensation in respect to 23 petitions for deaths, injuries, permanent incapacitation.
The Chairman pleaded with the federal and the state Governments to assist in directing the Police to release corpses of persons they deposited in the mortuary to relatives/Petitioners for burial.
According to him, most of the people cannot afford the bill charged by the hospitals and for the fact that it was the Police who deposited it.
“We concluded our public sitting on 22nd of June 2021 but due to some logistic, it became apparent that forwarding our report would not be possible within the time frame. For the Panel”.
Justice David Wyom who expressed gratitude to Kaduna State Government for giving them the opportunity to serve, called for full implementation of the report to assuage those affected.
Justice Wyom further revealed that, the members of the commission were inaugurated on the 19th of October last year and were given six months to investigate acts of police brutality in Kaduna and other offences.
Responding, Dr Hadiza Balarabe said government would study the report and its recommendations in order to issue a White Paper.
Dr Hadiza Balarabe noted that, the state government set up the Commission to help in establishing accountability for unlawful conduct by police personnel and to create a platform for victims and their families to receive redress for their pain and loss.
“The crisis of policing remains a national emergency. It is in the interest of everyone that our country builds an efficient police force, large enough to be effective, sufficiently decentralised to understand the terrain and build local support, properly trained, equipped and resourced for the job and operating with the highest regard for the law and rights and dignity of citizens”.
Dr Hadiza Balarabe commended Justice David Shiri Wyom and the seven other members of the Commission of Inquiry for their service.
AMINU DALHATU