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#EndSARS: Rivers Panel Ends Public Sitting
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Rivers State Government to look into the alleged Acts of Violence, Torture, Brutality, Murder and Violation of the Fundamental Rights of Citizens committed by officers, men and operatives of the Nigerian police in the state, yesterday, ended its public sitting in Port Harcourt.
The Tide can now authoritatively report that while it presided over its affairs, the commission entertained 187 petitons, struck out 76 cases for lack of competence, and reserved 111 petitions for conference hearing, which could result in possible recommendations to the state government for consideration and action.
The commission was inaugurated by the state government on November 24, 2020, following the #EndSARS protests, which claimed the lives of many and caused the destruction of properties across the state.
The seven-member commission had Justice Chukwunoye Uriri as chairman, and Dr George Nweke as the secretary.
The commission commenced its inaugural sitting on November 24, 2020, and received a total of 187 petitions.
Out of that number, 76 petitions were struck out for lack of jurisdiction and diligence while 111 petitions have been scheduled for conference hearing on its merit.
Among the petitions struck out by the commission were cases that were either pending in the courts or are out of the scope of the commission’s terms of reference.
Among the notable petitions struck out were that of the Oyigbo Indigenous Lawyers Association, among others.
The commission was given two months to conclude its assignment and turn in its reports and recommendations to the state government for consideration and implementation.
However, the commission on Friday, January 22, 2021, applied for extension of time, which the state government graciously approved additional 14 days for the panel.
The Chairman of the commission, Justice Chukwunoye Uriri (rtd) during his opening remarks at the inaugural sitting earlier said they received a total of 171 petitions, saying that it was the highest ever received by any state commission of inquiry across the country.
Justice Uriri promised that the commission will be fair to all and will dispense justice to all, irrespective of tribe, status or nationality, adding that the commission would not give heed to unnecessary adjournments due to the limited time allotted it to deliver on its mandate.
In its quest to serve justice to all the petitioners and the sole defendant – the police – scheduled its daily sitting from November 25 to December 30, 2020.
Justice Uriri told the petitioners and their legal representations that the commission lacked the powers to adjudicate on matters either pending at the various courts of competent jurisdiction or judgement already delivered on such matters, saying that doing so was out of the scope of the commission.
The commission, however, averred that it has noted the difficulties members of the public faced in getting judgment sum against the police authorities.
Most of the petitioners, who appeared before the commission, were seeking for justice to be served on their matter as well as payment of financial sums to ameliorate and cushion the effects of police brutality meted against them and the affected families.
But as the commission ends its public hearing, the fate of the 141 petitioners whose cases have been heard and selected for conference awaits the recommendations the Justice Chukwunoye Uriri panel would make to the state government for consideration.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.