The Katsina State Judicial Panel of Inquiry into the excesses of the disbanded Police Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, has submitted its report to the state government.
This is coming three months after the constitution and inauguration of the panel.
The panel says it received a total of one hundred petitions, out of which, twenty five were struck out, due to non-appearance of complainants/petitioners, or for lack of jurisdiction.
The Chairman of the panel, Justice Abdullahi Bawale said, seventy five
petitions were disposed of on merit, while all hearing notices and summons were served to the complainants and respondents.
The panel, inaugurated on October 23, 2020, had initial 8 weeks to submit its report, but additional 4 weeks was granted on request, due to the high volume of petitions it received.
The Chairman of the panel, Justice Abdullahi Bawale, while submitting the report said, the commission established cases of gross violation, impropriety, unconstitutionality, and unlawful arrests and detentions, orchestrated by identified members of the disbanded SARS.
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He added that the unlawful acts were confirmed to have caused the victims prolonged detentions without trial, death arising from interrogations, loss of limb, and confiscation of properties.
The commission therefore recommended stiff penalty for the erring officers found wanting, as well as compensate the victims, where necessary.
Receiving the report, Governor Aminu Masari said, the government has concluded plans to immediately set up a white paper committee, to come up with the modalities of implementing the recommendations proffered by the commission.
With this submission, Katsina State Judicial Panel of Inquiry Into The Excesses Of The Disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, is the first to conclude its investigations and submit same, in the country.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
