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Implement EndSARS Panel Report, CLO Tells Soludo
By Chuks Eke
The Anambra State branch of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), has called on Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, to implement the EndSARS judicial panel report on Police Brutality and Other Related Matters, submitted to former Governor Willie Obiano on February 15, 2021, a few days to the end of his tenure.
Comrade Evangelist Vincent Ezekwueme, the CLO State chairman who made the call in a statement issued in Onitsha yesterday, noted that the report of the panel, led by Hon. Justice Veronica Ngozi Umeh, was received on behalf of the governor by the Secretary to the State government, Professor Solo Chukwudebelu.
He recalled that there were unprecedented and devastating protests across the country over the brutality perpetrated by men of the defunct State Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) across the country that led to the death of many protesters and youths on October 20, 2020.
CLO further recalled that the protests prompted the Federal government in her wisdom to direct various state governments to constitute a Judicial Panel to look into various SARS abuses, atrocities, killings, injustices, and brutalities and proffer adequate compensations for the victims and prosecution of perpetrators.
“His Excellency then, Chief Willie Obiano, constituted a 42-member Judicial Panel, made up of men and women of impeccable character and integrity with unblemished Hon. Justice Veronica Ngozi Umeh as the chairman”.
“To the glory of God, the panel summited comprehensive and well-articulated report that if judiciously and transparently implemented will assuage the pains, agony, sufferings, and predicaments of the victims and their families as well as rekindle people’s hope and confidence in government”.
“It is no longer news and new that the state received the highest number of petitions, 310, throughout the country. There were high expectations from victims, families, petitioners, Anambrarians, and Nigerians on the reports of the panel and how the victims will be compensated and culprits prosecuted in tandem with Federal Government directive and motive behind constituting the panel as well as to forestall future occurrences.
“Please, the panel recommended #699 million, (six hundred and ninety-nine million naira) to the petitioners and dismissed some due to lack of purview of terms of reference for the panel.
The petitioners, their counsels, and Anambrarians have been lamenting that the Anambra Judicial Panel Report is merely an academic exercise and efforts to douse political tension”, he disclosed further.
In the statement, tagged,” justice could only be served when the unaffected are as outraged as those affected,” endorsed by Evangelist Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, chairman, and Comrade Chidi Mbah, secretary, CLO reiterated her earlier appeal to Gov.Soludo to urgently constitute Committee to articulate government White Paper on the reports.
CLO also pleaded for the commencement of the report implementation and payment of outstanding allowances of the chairman and members of the panel to protect both the image, and integrity of the government, the panel chairman, and members.
“All eyes are on Anambra as without implementation of the Judicial Panel Reports and payment of compensations to the petitioners, the committees’ report will be relentless efforts without effect, even as the petitioners and their counsels’ efforts will as well be fruitless efforts.
“There is no doubt in our minds that patriotic and transparent implementations of the panel report will improve security, protection of human rights, public interest, and socio-economic justice.
“This is the only way and means to ameliorate and assuage the victims, petitioners, satisfy their legal representatives and citizens,” CLO affirmed.
The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has urged for necessary measures to protect journalists and other media workers during this weekend’s off-cycle elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States.
The group sent the request to the federal and state governments, as well as law enforcement and security agencies, stressing that the role of journalists in disseminating information about the electoral process is critical to ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections.
In a statement issued ahead of the elections in Lagos and signed by the Communications Officer, Media Rights Agenda, Idowu Adewale, MRA also urged journalists to be cautious and to use its existing hotline (08138755660) to report any threat or attack they may encounter during the process, as well as any obstacle.
Adewale said in the statement: “Given the pattern of heightened attacks on journalists and the media during previous elections, including the recent 2023 general elections, as well as the tense political climate in the three states in the lead-up to the elections, measures must be taken to ensure general security during the elections and provide adequate protection for journalists covering the elections.”
“Access to information allows citizens and other members of the public to have the information they need about political and electoral processes, facilitating effective public participation in elections,” he says.
“Journalists and the media play an important role in ensuring residents and other members of the public have access to information and may participate in the process.
“As part of efforts to preserve the integrity of the polls, it is also critical that the safety and well-being of these interlocutors be assured and safeguarded.”
Lamenting the increased number of attacks on journalists in the run-up to the off-cycle elections, as well as earlier this year in the run-up to the general elections, he emphasised that “a free and vibrant media is fundamental to a healthy democracy, and journalists must be able to carry out their duties without fear, coercion, or violence.” During this vital phase, MRA stands ready to assist them and assure their safety.”
Men from the Edo State Police Command are said to have detained Mrs. Toluige Olokoobi’s husband after he allegedly murdered her.
Olokoobi was the mother of Oreofeoluwa Lawal-Babalola, the tiny boy whose video went viral in 2020 after he pleaded with his mother, “Mummy be calming down.”
Oreofeoluwa rose to prominence on social media after a video of him crying in an attempt to confidently appeal to his mother, who chastised him, went viral.
The film inspired Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who used it to deliver an Eid-el-Kabir appeal to Muslims and Lagos people in general to remain calm during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Following that, the youngster and his family met with the governor, who praised his bravery and poise.
While little has been heard about the family in three years, heartbreaking news broke on social media on Tuesday that the boy’s mother had committed suicide.
According to an X user, Olokoobi committed suicide in Benin, the capital of Edo State, for unknown reasons.
The X user, who stated that he was present at the site on Monday afternoon, went on to say that she had refused to disclose her difficulties with anyone before committing herself.
“The woman in the viral Mummy Calm Down video has just committed suicide here in Benin,” he stated in an email.
“She refused to discuss her problems with anyone.” She abandoned three children for her husband, including the well-known Mummy Calm Down boy.”
Meanwhile, confirming Olokoobi’s death in a chat with BBC Pidgin, the spokesperson of the Edo State police command, Chidi Nwabuzor, said her husband has been arrested and detained for questioning.
Nwabuzor said the husband reported the matter to the police.
The police spokesperson quoted the husband to have said that “he came home from the market when he saw his wife hanging with rope on her neck”.
Nwabuzor said she was rushed to the hospital and then to the mortuary after she was confirmed dead. (Adapted from a Vanguard report).
The Anambra State Police Command Headquarters Conference Hall was a hive of activity Thursday as CP Aderemi Adeoye took turns decorating around 18 promoted officers of the command with their new titles.
The delight of some of the officers whose wives assisted the CP in decorating their husbands with their new ranks knew no bounds, as their husbands duly saluted their wives and the CP for their new positions and responsibilities.
Obi Innocent, one of the officers elevated to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), whose wife joined CP Aderemi Adeoye in adorning him with his new rank, said it was wonderful that the Inspector General of Police thought him worthy.
CSP Obi Innocent, the officer in charge of the Legal Department at Zone 13, Police Zonal Headquarters Ukpo, stated that his new rank was a call to service and that he would do his best to uphold the charge given to them by CP Aderemi Adeoye to respect and protect the citizenry’s fundamental rights in the discharge of their new assignments.
Charity Akharame, who was honoured with the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and was the only female officer among the 18 promoted officers decorated with new ranks, said it was not an easy feat but she was grateful to be among those who were decorated with their new ranks.
DSP Charity Akharame, the officer in charge of stores in the Anambra State Police Command, recalled how she began as a Police Constable and worked her way up to her current position as Deputy Superintendent of Police.
She stated that as a very disciplined police officer, she would follow the Police Commissioner’s directions regarding respect for all and sundry in the fulfillment of her constitutional obligations.
Jane-Frances Obi, one of the spouses of the officers elevated to the level of CSP, stated that being the wife of a police officer was not an easy assignment. As a result, she recommended any lady who is married to a police officer to be patient and understanding because the job is quite demanding.
Jane-Frances Obi, whose husband is Innocent Obi, the officer in charge of the Legal Department at Zone 13 Ukpo, believes the promotion is a reward for years of being patient, understanding, and standing in for them when they are not present.
Meanwhile, Emenike Chinenyenwa, who was decorated with the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and presented a vote of appreciation, expressed deep gratitude to the IGP and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission for considering them worthy of being adorned in their new ranks.
ACP Emenike, the officer in charge of Medicals, stated that the elevation comes with increased responsibility and that they will work harder in their new tasks.
CP Aderemi Adeoye praised the current promotion winners in his remarks, noting that two aspects make the police career very interesting and eventful. He stated that one is for promotion and the other is for positions.
CP Adeoye, on the other hand, urged the newly honored officers to develop more empathy, compassion, care, and dedication in the performance of their jobs.
The police chief insisted that newly promoted officers must first recognise that they share the same humanity as others, and as a result, they must treat all people with dignity and protect their fundamental human rights at all times.
CP Aderemi Adeoye stressed that without the enormous roles of spouses, they wouldn’t have been successful in their careers. He therefore congratulated all the promoted and prayed that God gives them good health to enjoy the new ranks and the energy to discharge the responsibilities of their new offices.
- Source: Independent
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