Yiaga Africa and Enough is Enough has commended the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Kwara, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Ogun and Plateau States for committing to providing free legal representation to victims of police brutality and recommend that such support should be provided in other states.
The Director of Programs , Yiaga Africa Cynthia Mbamalu and the Executive Director, Enough is Enough (EiE) Yemi Adamolekun in a press release recommend support to provide legal and/or psycho-social support to victims and their families.
They also called on all members of the Panel to refrain from biased statements and remain neutral as arbiters working for justice.
“Yiaga Africa and EiE call on the Panels to integrate public-facing channels for their sittings. Legal Support for Victims of Police Brutality Across the Judicial Panels of Inquiry:
“Yiaga Africa and EiE note that victims of police brutality across the panel require legal support in order to effectively seek justice. We commend the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Kwara, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Ogun and Plateau States for committing to providing free legal representation to victims of police brutality and recommend that such support should be provided in other states.
“Similarly, we recommend support to provide legal and/or psycho-social support to victims and their families. This will be very helpful to them as they seek justice for the abuse experienced in the hands of officers of the law.
“The Neutrality of Panel Members: We note that in Anambra State, there have been allegations that some of the panel members are political appointees to the Governor, William Obiano and were handpicked by him to serve on the panel.
“These members are loyalists of the Governor and may tilt their judgement in favour of the Governor’s interest. In the same vein, a member of the Lagos Judiciary Panel tweeted disparaging remarks about CNN, stating that they were “complicit’ in the protests,” they said.
