Rivers Panel On Police Brutality Receives 171 Petitions As Sitting Begins Today

The Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Police brutality and other human rights abuses on Tuesday November 24th began sitting at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt.

The Commission had in a statement issued by it’s Chairman, Hon. Justice Chukwueneye Uriri (Rtd), a fortnight ago invited interested and affected persons especially those who submitted memoranda to attend today’s occasion.

The chairman disclosed that 171 petitions had been received by the panel from victims of abuses.

Meanwhile, submission of memoranda to the Commission ended on Monday 23rd November, 2020.

Justice C. Uriri (Rtd), is the chairman of the panel while Dr. George Nwaeke is the Secretary.

Other members of the commission are: Mrs Florence Amiesimaka of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA); Tonye uIbisiki of the Nigerian Bar Association; Karl Chinedu Uchegbu, Civil Society Organisation; Chijioke Ihunwo, representing a Youth Group; Rev. Richard Opara, Religious Group; Mrs Bella Ebeku, Women’s Group and Somiete Inko-Tariah, Counsel to the Commission.

President Muhammadu Buhari had in the wake of EndSARS Protests that resonated across the country in October, directed the 36 state governor’s to inaugurate the Commission to address grievances of Nigerians over what had become common incidents of heinous acts of brutality and extra judicial killings by men of the Police Force.

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, at first expressed desire to ignore the directive but later changed his mind.

He changed his mind after EndSARS protesters besieged the Government House in Port Harcourt demanding that he addressed them less than 24hrs after he had placed a ban on Protest In the State.