The Akwa Ibom State Government has set up an 8-member judicial panel of inquiry headed by the retired jurist, Ifiok Ukana to investigate incidents of police brutality in the State.
The Government which came up with this after an emergency meeting of the State Executive Council in Uyo Monday evening, chaired by Governor Udom Emmanuel noted that the demands of the protesters were Germaine and needed to be addressed. The Governor commended the youths for carrying out their protests peacefully in the State without violence, molestation, and disruption of the activities of others.
The panel which is to be inaugurated on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 is constituted as follows:
- Justice Ifiok Ukana (Rtd) Chairman
- Ms. Manti Umoh Representative of Civil Society Organisation and #EndSARS Protesters
- Mr. Harris Udoh. Representative of Civil Society Organisation
- Barrister Bassey Essien CP (Rtd). Senior Retired Police Officer
- Barr. Omen Bassey Youth representative
- Comrade Aniedi Michael NAAKISS Worldwide President – Student Leader
- Tony Iji. National Human rights Commission
- Mfon Edemekong Esq. Ministry of Justice ~ Secretary
The terms of reference of the panel are to:
- Receive and investigate complaints of police brutality, human rights violation, and related extrajudicial killings;
- Evaluate evidence presented or other surrounding circumstances, and draw conclusions as to the validity of the complaints; and
- Recommend compensation and other remedial measures, where appropriate.
The duration of the Panel’s assignment is three months in the first instance.
The Government however cautioned against hijack or politicisation of the protest and urged the people to commit the country to prayers.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
