Acting Governor of Kaduna state, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, has given the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Police Brutality six months to conclude its work and submit its report, noting that the demand for accountability in policing is a national issue.
Speaking while inaugurating members of the Commission on Monday, Hadiza said the federal and state governments haven endorsed the demand for reforms to policing, the constitution of the Commission is a firm signal that impunity would not be tolerated.
She said the inquiry was aimed at establishing accountability for unlawful conduct by police personnel.
Dr Hadiza, who recalled that serious concerns about police accountability have been expressed with clarity in the last two weeks, urged the Commission to create “a platform for victims and their families to receive redress for their pain and loss”.
‘’While the youths of this country have been at the forefront of making the urgent resolution of this issue a national priority, there is no doubt that on this matter they speak for more than only their demographic.
“The groundswell of support the youths have attracted reflects a widespread view that the crisis of policing is a national emergency. Such an inquiry would, along with other actions, help enthrone the principle that the police as the prime law enforcement agency in Nigeria must itself be governed by and uphold the rule of law,’’ she added.
Dr Balarabe noted that ‘’the emergence of sustained institutional mechanisms for independent review of police actions will help provide safeguards against abuse of police powers. It will help build public confidence that we can build a police service that can be relied upon to enforce the law fairly and impartially,’’ she further said.
The acting governor argued that it is time to devolve policing powers and institute necessary safeguards for lawful conduct and protection of human rights. She decried the situation whereby Federal Government deploys all policemen but their operations are being funded by state governments.
The acting governor said, “The Commission will receive and investigate complaints of Police brutality or related extra judicial killings. Evaluate evidence presented/ other surrounding circumstances, and draw conclusions as to the validity of the complaints; and recommend compensation and other remedial measures, where appropriate.”
Retired Justice David Shiri Wyom chairs the seven-member Commission with AIG Lawal Tanko (rtd) as a member, while Rebecca Sako-John and Mustapha Jumare represent the civil society. Yakubu Umar Ibrahim represents students, while Nathaniel Sheyi Bagudu will represent the youth.
Tergu Gwar represents National Human Rights Commission, while acting Director, Citizens Right Department of the Ministry of Justice, Hajara Abubakar, represents the Attorney-General of Kaduna state.
