From Esther Akaa, Lafia
The Nasarawa State Judicial commission of inquiry into the activities of the disbanded Special Anti- Robbery Squad (F-SARs) of the Nigeria Police has received 16 petitions from victims of police brutality .
At the inaugural sitting of the committee held on Tuesday at the State Ministry of Justice Complex in Lafia, the commission said it would ensure that all petitions are handled expeditiously considering the time limit given to the tribunal.
It would be recalled that the Governor of the state, Abdullahi Sule had constituted and inaugurated an eight man committee to Investigate complaints of police brutality , evaluate, draw conclusions and recommend compensation as well as other remedial measures.
Addressing the tribunal, the chairman of the judicial commission of Inquiry, Justice Badamasi Maina, sued for cooperation between counsels representing the petitioners considering the time frame given.
“As you are all aware, as a result of EndSARS Protests in various parts of the country hijacked by hoodlums, there were many destruction of public and private properties consequent upon which the federal government directed the state governors to set up commissions of inquiry in their various states.
” Though there was no protest and destruction of property in Nasarawa State, His Execellency, Engr Abdullahi Sule constituted and inaugurated this eight ( 8) man committee.
“We have so far received sixteen (16) petitions which are to be mentioned today. We expect the cooperation of the Bar, where counsel is representing a petitioner matters should be handled expeditiously considering the time limit given to the tribunal.
“Our mandate is limited to our state, where the incident occurred outside the state, we very much sympathise with the people and owners of properties destroyed but will not be obliged to take such petitions/complaints unless there are reasons to do so,” he said.