..Urges petitioners on truthfulness, honesty, factuality
The State of Osun Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality, Human Rights Violations and Related Extra Judicial Killings on Thursday commenced hearing on the numerous petitions and submissions added earlier than it by way of members of the general public.
The panel commenced the listening to with five unique petitions submitted via sufferers of police brutality and other human rights violations.
It will be recalled that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola had on Thursday 22nd of October, 2020, inaugurated a 13-man panel with a mandate to resolve all matters associated with police brutality, disbanded officers and men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) among different related instances.
According to the Government, the panel has six months to entertain and whole all the findings, investigations and instances filed before it.
Delivering his inaugural sitting speech on the Council of Obas' Chamber, Finance Building, Government Secretariat, Osogbo, the Chairman of the Panel, Justice Akin Oladimeji (retired), stated the panel had considering the fact that its inauguration acquired five petitions and submissions from members of the general public.
He mentioned that the panel became absolutely organized to deliver the statutory mandate conferred on it to make sure justice, equity and equity in all of the instances before it.
The retired High Court Judge who stated the mandate of the panel was to analyze the brutality of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) towards some individuals of the general public, said the panel could now not act as a regular court of regulation in which regulation is precisely carried out to cases however rather, function as a reality locating panel.
"This panel is not a ordinary court of law where law is strictly implemented to cases but as an alternative, a truth finding panel. Therefore, it is the responsibility of each petitioner and in fact all events who gift petitions and defence earlier than this panel to carry all records and proof in assist in their instances before the panel.
"We are neither prophets nor seers that could see what the regular eyes can't perceive. Every petitioner who has suffered damage or loss needs damages or reimbursement to be paid to him. This panel is empowered to make recommendation on award of such damages or reimbursement however we can't do so except you come and show to us how and in which you sustained injury or loss.
"It is the truth and proof which you place earlier than us that we have to use to evaluate the injury victims have suffered inside the hands of SARS in each of the cases, and the damages claimed by means of the petitioners or another parties because the case can be.
"These are the things as a way to help us in our responsibilities, in order that we are able to not therefore appear like awarding arbitrarily low or high damages or reimbursement in the attention of the affordable guy", he delivered.
The Chairman of the panel entreated the petitioners to be sincere and sincere in whatever they create before the panel, noting that the panel ought to handiest work on emperical information.
"In imparting your cases earlier than this panel, we urge the parties and their witnesses to be truthful and sincere, as righteousness exalts no longer handiest the man or woman however additionally the nation and the sector at large.
"We are your fathers, moms, brothers, sisters and youngsters and buddies; do now not be afraid to return and tell us your tales. If you do now not want to be heard in public, we will make arrangement to pay attention you without the public.
"We are right here to guard the hobby of each birthday celebration who has suffered injury inside the hands of SARS, consisting of the useless on whose behalf petitions have been filed via their prison or personal representatives.
"We are prepared to visit locus in cuo, i.E locations of incidents which includes mortuaries, graves and graveyards or suspected ones, if want be", he stated.
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