Police, bane of Nigeria’s progress – Osun Judicial Panel of Inquiry

 

BY TIMOTHY AGBOR,OSOGBO

THE Osun State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality, Human Rights Violations and Related Extra Judicial Killings, on Friday, said evidence brought before it by petitioners since it was constituted had shown that some officers of the Nigeria Police Force were the ones working against Nigeria’s progress.

Addressing journalists shortly after the panel resumed sitting on Friday, the Chairman of the panel, Justice Akinwale David Oladimeji, berated the attitude and misconduct of some officers and men of Nigeria Police Force.

Oladimeji said the panel had received 30 petitions so far.

The Panel reiterated its commitment to ensuring fair hearing and justice in all the petitions received within the time frame of the stipulated six months.

Oladimeji said it was unfortunate that most of the cases received were premised on the non-execution and non-implementation of court verdicts against police.

He said, “A lot of things have been exposed about the conduct and activity of the Nigeria Police.

“From the evidence we have gathered so far, it appears that it is some of the Police officers and men that are the cog in the wheel of progress of this country; that is my belief.”

Speaking on the proceedings so far, the Chairman of the Panel said some cases had been concluded while others had been treated for fair hearings.

He reafirmed the panel’s commitment to adjudicating justice within the period allocated to conclude all the hearings of all the petitions and cases before it.

He said, “We have been receiving petitions and we have about 30 cases. Though we have resolved some of the cases, there won’t be any report until we conclude all the proceedings.

“Generally, there has never been any delay except for some few cases. As you know, either the lawyer or petitioner can cause some delay because sometimes, they write letters for adjournments.

“We are used to that anyway, and we know how to handle such cases. The six months period will be sufficient. We have been in this business for years and we know how to manage lawyers.

“If it requires us to work extra time, we will do so. We will not hesitate to conclude the hearings within the stipulated period because we don’t want any extension of time.”