By Ameh Ochojila and Charles Akpeji

Lambasts police for failure to produce two officers
• Funds stall compensation of Taraba victims

The independent investigative panel on allegations of human rights violations by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian police has ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to treat Julius Ogalanya, a victim of police brutality, till full recovery.

Chairman of the panel, Justice Suleiman Galadima, at the, resumed sitting in Abuja, yesterday, noted that though the IGP had paid for the surgery of Ogalanya, who was shot by one Gabriel Adi of the Gwagwalada Division, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, the victim had not recovered from the bullet wound that shattered his thigh.

However, the victim said he needed another surgery but lacked funds for it.

Chairman of the panel, therefore, directed the panel’s counselled by Chino Obiagwu and the petitioner’s counsel, Reginald Nwani, to visit the IGP on the issue of treatment. He adjourned the case for the panel’s report.

ALSO, the panel has expressed disappointment with the police’s failure to produce two police officers, one Mr. Obiazo and Mr. Uzo Emeana, both of SARS Awkuzu, Anambra State, over their alleged involvement in the arbitrary arrest and detention of one John Alozie, who was reported missing three years ago.

The panel observed that the police had acted with impunity by making excuses for the two officers, rather than complying with the order of the panel on two separate occasions to produce them.

In the first week of March 2021, the 11-man panel chaired by Justice Suleiman Galadima had vowed to compel the appearance of the two police officers before the panel.

The panel held that on November 10, 2021, which is the next adjourned date, the matter would be decided, if the police fail again to produce the officers.

HOWEVER, six months after the Christopher Awubra-led panel of inquiry on police brutality had completed its assignment in Taraba State, the fate of the victims still remains uncertain.

This was reportedly due to the inability of the panel to tidy up its reports for onward transmission to the National Economic Council (NEC) due to paucity of funds.

In the said report, still with the panel, The Guardian gathered that N509 million was awarded to 42 victims whose petitions were attended to. While 11 victims who died were awarded N20 million each, eight victims that were permanently incapacitated were awarded N15 million each.

Others were awarded between N2 million and N8 million each.