Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Chairman of the Delta State Judicial Panel of Enquiry on Police Brutality and Extra-Judicial Killings, Justice Celestina Ogisi (rtd.) on Monday decried the poor response from members of the public in submitting memoranda.
Justice Ogisi said the response was not encouraging despite several advertorials issued calling for memoranda from interested members of the public who are victims of police brutality or extra-judicial killings since the panel was constituted last month.
The chairman who spoke at the inaugural sitting in Asaba, however solicited the cooperation of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) branches in the state to assist in making their services available on pro bono basis to victims who in most cases are indigent in preparation of their memoranda before the panel.
“Other civil society groups and non-government agencies can also step in and provide the necessary assistance,” Justice Ogisi added.
Ogisi announced that memoranda can also be submitted at the zonal offices of the state Ministry of Justice in Warri, Effurun, Kwale, Agbor, Ozoro, Ughelli and Sapele.
In his response, chairman of Asaba branch of the NBA, Austin Nwabueze told the panel that the association was already sensitising its members on the need to make representation at every sitting of the panel.
On his part, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Peter Mrakpor, assured of the state government’s resolve to ensure that justice is done on any case of alleged brutality and extra-judicial killings across the state.
Also, the Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Inuwa who was represented by his deputy in charge of administration and finance, Josephine Angansinti, assured that the command will cooperate with the panel during the exercise.
The panel which was constituted by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as a result of the #EndSARS protests, has three months to complete it’s assignment.