Indications have emerged that the Nigeria Police in Oyo State have been refusing hearing notices on some of the petitions filed by aggrieved residents before the State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police brutality.
Our Judicial correspondent who was at the inaugural sitting reports that the panel had issues hearing notice on sixty eight petitions.
After the nationwide protests against Police brutality last year, Federal government instructed state governments to set up panel of inquiry to look into petitions submitted by alleged victims of the brutality and victimization in various states..
The Panel would also evaluate evidence presented and draw conclusion as to the validity of the complaints.
At the inaugural sitting of the panel in Oyo State, some of the petitioners were not present to prosecute their petitions while those present had their respondents absent.
During the sitting it was also discovered that Nigeria Police rejected service to appear before the panel to defend themselves on the petition when served.
For instance in a petition filed by one Olayiwola Oyedokun against Police officers in Iyana Offa Ibadan, Legal officer of the Panel told the sitting that the police at Iyana Offa refused to be served summon.
Another case was that of an officer of the Nigerian Army, Adebayo Aderijo Samuel against Nigeria Police which was also refused.
Reacting to the absence of the Police at the sitting, Chairman of the panel, former Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Badejoko Adeniji frowned at the attitude and order fresh services on them.
Justice Adeniji said the panel would visit the new Commissioner of Police Mrs Ngozi Onadeko to let her know the essence of sending representative to defend them before the panel.
Earlier in her inaugural speech, Justice Adeniji said the panel would deliver its duties without fear or favour.
In a goodwill message Chairman Nigeria Bar Association, Mr. Yinka Esan said the Association has mandated its members to provide free legal services to any petitioner who could not afford legal fee.
Mr. Esan urged the members of the panel to carefully examine the evidence before making their decisions.
Sunday Ogunyemi
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