ENDSARS: Governors to Begin Judicial Review of Police Brutality

In response to EndSARS protests, the National Economic Council (NEC) presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has directed the immediate establishment of State-based Judicial Panels of Inquiry across the country to receive and investigate complaints of Police brutality, human rights violations or related extra judicial killings with a view to delivering justice for all victims of the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police units across the country. The Panels were given six months to work and submit their reports.

In addition to this, the State Governors who also attended the meeting, agreed that the Judicial Panels should involve the representatives of Youths, Students, Civil Society Organizations and would be chaired by a respected retired State High Court Judge.


In other to address issues regarding human rights violations, the Council further directed State Governors should immediately establish a State-based Special Security and Human Rights Committee to be chaired by the Governors in their States, to supervise the newly formed police tactical units and all other security agencies located in the State.


While the Panels are working, there will also Human Rights Public Complaints Team of between 2 to 3 persons to receive complaints on an ongoing basis. That team would be established by the Special Committee on Security and Human Rights.


Other measures approved by the Council is the setting of a Complaints Office at each Governor’s Office to which members of the public can relate by telephone or social media channels.


Also, NEC directs all State Governors to immediately establish a Victims Fund to enable the payment of monetary compensation to deserving victims of police brutality. [SWIPE]