EndSARS: Police Ask Court To Halt Judicial Probe

On Thursday, the police filed a suit at a federal high court in Abuja seeking an order to stop the judicial panels of inquiry set up by state governors to probe allegations of police brutality and human rights abuses against the force.

In a suit marked FHC/ ABJ/CS/1492/2020, filed by the force’s lawyer, O.M Atoyebi, argued that the establishment of panels of inquiry by the state governors to investigate the activities of the force violates “section 241(1)(2)(a) and item 45, part 1, first schedule to the constitution and section 21 of the tribunals of inquiry act”.

The Plaintiff argued that the action of the governors “is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and of no effect whatsoever”.

He prayed that the court restrains the defendants from conducting any investigation or setting up panels to probe the affairs of the security agency.

The effect of the #EndSARS protests had led to the setting up of judicial panels across the states to ensure justice for all victims of the disbanded special anti-robbery squad (SARS) and other police units.

Listed among the defendants are the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the attorneys-general of the states, and chairmen of the panels set up by the states.

The suit read in part: “A declaration that having regard to the provisions of Section a14 (1)(2) (a) and Item 45, Part 1, First Schedule, 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Federal Government of Nigeria has the exclusive power to organise, control and administer the Nigeria Police Force.

“A declaration that the establishment of panel of inquiries by the Governors of the various states of the Federation of Nigeria, to inquire into the activities of the Nigeria Police Force in relation to the discharge of her statutory duties…

“…Is a gross violation of the provisions of Section 241 (1)(2) (a) and Item 45, Part 1, First schedule, 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 21 of the Tribunals of Inquiry Act, Cap.T21, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“A declaration that having regard to the circumstances of this case, the attitude of the governors of the various states of the Federation of Nigeria, in this case, is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 3rd to 38th defendants (the attorneys-general of the 36 states) from making or conducting any investigations, sittings and inquiries and/or from making or conducting any further investigations.

“…Sittings and inquiries in respect of matters affecting the Nigeria Police Force, and or further setting up any panel of inquiry in any state whatsoever in the country.”

The case which was listed for December 3, has, however, been rescheduled for December 18 as the federal high court in Abuja did not sit.