#EndSARS: Makinde Sets Up Judicial Panel Of Inquiry In Oyo State

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde on Tuesday, set up an 11-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry to hear and consider cases of brutality, killings, and extra-judicial activities against operatives of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The Governor promised that all cases brought before the panel will be treated with fairness and justice.

Naija News reports that the eleven (11) member panel is led by Justice Badejoko Adeniji (retired) – a former Chief Judge of the state, who will serve as the Chairman of the Panel.

Mrs Olufolakemi Ogundele, an Assistant Director of Public Prosecution in the state Ministry of Justice, will serve as Secretary of the panel.

Other members of the panel include Dr Oluwole Akintayo — immediate past Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ibadan Branch; Mrs Wumi Odutayo; Mr Nasir Sulaiman; Ms Mary Kolawole; and Mr Babs Oduyoye — Special Adviser on Politics to Governor Makinde.

Also on the panel are Mrs Mariam Badmus; Ms. Olumide Akintayo – Director, Legal Aid Council, Oyo State; Mr Falowo Saheed, and Mrs Agbeja Adebobola – member of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Oyo State.

Speaking on the panel’s work, the Governor noted that the panel would begin work with about 50 cases already reported on its various platforms.

He urged others with relevant cases to also appear before the panel promising that all security operatives responsible for the death of EndSARS protesters in the state will be brought to justice.

The panel “was constituted pursuant to Section 2(1) of the Oyo State Commission of Inquiry Law Cap 32 of the Laws of Oyo State 2000 which empowers the Governor to set up a commission of inquiry. However, as the scope is beyond Oyo State, we’re collaborating with the Federal Govt.”

“I encouraged anyone who has faced human rights abuse in the hands of any of the security forces to use this opportunity to seek justice. I also stated that those responsible for the deaths of Isiaka Jimoh, Ganiyu Moshood Alabi, and Adeoye Taiwo would be brought to book”.

“I also clarified the misrepresentation of the position of the Southwest leaders on the so-called social media bill. Contrary to media reports, our position remains that since we already have an extensive Cybercrime Act, 2015 we don’t need any other bills to regulate social media”, Makinde stated.

This afternoon, we inaugurated the Oyo State Judicial Panel of Inquiry into Police Brutality, Violation of Rights of Citizens and Unlawful Killings. The panel is made up of eleven (11) members led by Justice Bolajoko Adeniji (retired), as Chairman of the Panel. pic.twitter.com/4p0i1JODI9

— Seyi Makinde (@seyiamakinde) November 10, 2020

Meanwhile, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has categorically stated that he is not in support of any new bill targeted at regulating social media in Nigeria.

According to him, there are already enough laws in place including an existing cybercrime prohibition act of 2015, noting that there is no further need for a specific social media bill.