INAUGURAL SPEECH OF JUSTICE PHILOMENA LOT CHAIRMAN JUDICIAL PANEL OF INQUIRY ON POLICE BRUTALITY AND RELATIVE EXTRA JUDICIAL KILLINGS PLATEAU STATE
On behalf of the Commission of Inquiry I wish to welcome you all to this inaugural sitting.
For some weeks now, there had been series of protests by youths in most parts of the country, asking the Federal Government to end the services of the SPECIAL ANTI ROBERRY SQUARD (SARS).
The Government being a democratic one truly committed to the rule of law, democracy and good governance and not opposed to the concerns and demand of its citizens. The Federal Government accepted the five demands and promptly disbanded the activities of SARS.
To prevent giving the impression that the Government is at war with her citizens, the Federal Government requested the States and the Federal Capital Territory to set up Commissions of Inquiry to look into the agitations of the youths, hence the establishment of this Commission of inquiry by His Excellency
Rt. Hon. Barrister Simon Bako Lalong, Governor of Plateau State to look into the agitation of the youths with the following terms of reference:-
1. Receive and investigate complain of Police brutality or related extra-Judicial killings.
2. To draw evidence and draw conclusion on the validity of the complaints.
3. Recommend compensation and other remedial measure
4. Any other matter(s) that may be relevant to the Commission’s assignment.
The Commission has Six months within which to complete the assignment and submit the report.
We appreciate the fact that the youth by provision of section39 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) are justified and legally entitled to express their grievances. Unfortunately this good intention of the youth has been hijacked by hoodlums and criminals, we are saddened by their conduct of wanton destructions of public and private properties and even unlawful breaking of stores and looting of foodstuffs, fertilizers and farm implements in both public and private warehouses. Some people were alleged raped to have been killed. It is most unfortunate. We urge those with genuine complaints to come forward and file their complaints. Each complainants is required to submite to the tribunal ten (10) copies of it complaint addressed to the Tribunal Chairman, duly signed with the names and address of the complainant, Date will then be given for oral evidence. We therefore urge those appearing before us to be precise in their submissions to avoid unnecessary arguments and legal technicalities to enable us to do justice to all those that appear before us.
Once more, we thank you all for attending this inaugural session of the tribunal. We also thank the plateau State Government for entrusting us with this assignment.
May God guide and give us wisdom.
MEMBERS OF THE PANEL OF INQUIRY INCLUDES
1. Justice Philomena Lot – Chairman
2 Mr. Cornelius Shoilbial – Secretary
3. CP Graba Patrick – Member
4. Ezekiel Dauda Daschen – Member
5. Rauta Dakok – Member
6. Mrs Grace Nanya Pam – Member
7. Dr. John Jinung – Member
8. Fatimah Suleiman – Member
