The stakeholders meeting on the implementation of the recommendations of the presidential panel on the reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad(SARS) convened by the Nigeria Police Force and National Human Rights Commission was held on Monday, 12th day of October, 2020.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
The meeting started with the IGP welcoming everyone, as well as the representative of the Executive Director of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Halilu Adamu.
Meanwhile, it was noted the protesters should interact with government but should know that the recommendations would not be implemented in a single day. A white paper would be released for participants at the end of the meeting.
*AN OPEN CONVERSATION/RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ISSUE
*Mr Chris Ngwodo from the Vice President’s office:
— Based on the new Police Act, citizen’s have the right to protest, and this the IGP affirmed sometime on Friday.
— Called for an end to the Police brutality on protesters, because they cannot be protesting against human rights abuse and you’re matching their actions with more abuse.
*Korede Bello (Police Ambassador and Artist):
— Spoke on the need for improved Police welfare, that way the extortion may stop. And also the need to protect the lives of police officers.
— People should be allowed to protest issues that are affecting them, as the scenes we saw on Sunday and other days of the protest weren’t good.
— Also before any redeployment, the officers should undergo a psychological evaluation to know if they are capable to bearing arms.
— Arrested protesters should be released, because it’s their constitutional right and it would help build the trust confidence amongst the populace.
*Representative from the Police Affairs Ministry equally makes a meaningful contribution calling for calm.
*The Deputy director of PRAWA (Mrs. Ogechi Ogu Esq):
— On capacity building: Wanted to find out the challenges officers were facing.
— The identity of officers that are involved in abusing the masses should be made known. As well as the need for value re-evaluation of these Officers.
*Mr Udo Jude ILO:
— The meeting is undermined by continuous killings of protesters, and the killings also undermines the efforts of the Police
— The Police is just the victim of a systemic representation of everything that is wrong and that’s happening in the country, hence the panel should implement the white paper, and not only seek to get the people off the street.
— The five demands that the protesters want, should be honoured.
—The redeployment isn’t as clear as it seems, rejects a situation where bad SARS officers are given the uniform to continue in their criminality.
— Doesn’t want police officers to bear live ammunition (as they are not fit.)
*Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director of PLAC:
— Youth profiling by officers because of their dressing and hairstyle is wrong.
— The Police is a victim of a bigger national issue and anger, especially from the harsh economic effects associated with Covid 19 on people.
— Technological gadgets to aid policing for accountability such as the use of body camera by officers; and also the use of Drones.
*Mr. Innocent Chukwuma:
— 3 track approach to solving this challenges (Immediate, near future and long term).
— Immediate: To relax the tensed atmosphere at moment, the various CPs to visit these protesters (if the IGP cannot address them individually), as it will go a long way to encourage the people and build trust relations amongst the parties.
— A panel of inquiry for the violation of human rights by police officers should be set up to hear the people’s grievances.
—Psychological evaluation of these SARS individuals for mental health issues.
— He considered the root cause of “rogue culture” in police investigation, is poor funding. The new Police Act provides for a trust fund and such should be used, released and disbursed on a timely basis.
*Mr. Deji Adekunle SAN:
— On credibility, he touched on point number 3 of the five points released by the Police in the directive for the disbandment of SARS and stated that there’s need for an investigative body.
— An alternative body to the SARS unit should temporary be in place, so that there’s no vacuum with the disbandment of SARS.
— Officers with indictments should not be part of the redeployment, until all the accusations are cleared.
—And the remaining ones should be technologically equipped, in line with International best practices on policing.
*TheNigerianLawyer(TNL):
— Brought to the attention of the IGP a similar abusive Poice group called “OSPAC” in Rivers State and wants the reforms to affect all security outfits under the control of the IGP.
— Wants a Human Rights Desk in the Police unit, answerable to the IGP’s office to enable people report violations of human rights, and with progression of time, the desk can be made subject to the CPs.
DBANJ (Artist):
Also urged the need for the rights of the citizens to be respected.
*The Director, Department on police discipline, PSC:
He stated that he was glad to be part of the team.
SUMMARY OF THE WHITE PAPER
— NPF and the NHRC would partner to ensure that progress and reforms are carried out (A committee is to be set up).
— The disbandment of SARS operatives.
— Adequate training of officers with DSS, to allow them be intelligence based and only intervene when necessary.
— Justice for those who have been molested by SARS and police officers.
— Meeting with CSOs to allow for reforms on 18th of October, 2020 (This date is certain, the audio was terrible, but the Committee with the CSOs is certain).
— Human rights violation should be investigated, a human right committee to investigate the abuses and officers punished
*Recommendations:
– Abusive officers (who had been shown to have violated citizen’s right) should be santioned properly (internally).
– Prosecution of abusive officers.
– Abuses based on torture, the officers should be punished and civil liabilities should be borne by the officers.
– extrajudicial killing, former SARS should be given orientation on how to respect rights of victims, and if found wanting after redeployment they should be prosecuted.
– There should be an internal system to check mate and stale corrupt investigation of human rights abuse and to ensure that proper guidance are followed when making such investigation.
*Specific recommendations:
– reorientation of Police officers towards the respect of human rights.
– continuous investigation of officers, to check mate abuse. A panel on human rights abuse should be existing continuously, the idea is to build a respect for human rights, that way making police your friend. The people should be treated fairly, criminals apprehended, and innocent people not subjected to abuse.
— The major thing is accountability. A panel set up to punish all Police violation, made up of police, Judiciary and CSO. There’s need to have trust in the system.
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