Trailing the EndSARS conversation tells a tale of neglect to Nigerians and law enforcement, with the number of petitions as an indicator of indiscretions from the latter. Yes, government mandated Judicial panels of inquiry are first steps. But implementation and duration will tell the rest.
- So far, 28 states set up judicial panels, with 22 states receiving 730 petitions;
- With 114 petitions, Anambra records the highest petitions, corroborating prior investigations;
- Overall, EndSARS judicial panels should not end with SARS, but should continue to monitor law enforcement, preventing future occurrences.
Akin to a boiling pot about to overflow, the events that ensued last month resulted from a combination of events. Alongside the pandemic and its consequences, police brutality was a step too far for Nigerian youths. Then came the demonstrations, death and more demonstrations, albeit less peaceful.
While the Federal Government maintained it responded to protesters’ requests, some of its actions seemed ungenuine. Not to mention blurred and ever-changing details around their involvement in Lekki shootings. But at least FG through the National Economic Council, NEC, established State-based Judicial Panels of Inquiry to investigate and dispense justice against complaints of police brutality or extrajudicial killings; however, its effectiveness remains unknown.
States churn out 730 Petitions to Judicial Panels
So far, 28 states have successfully set up its judicial panels. However, only 22 have successfully sat and received petitions from citizens. Overall, distressed citizens have submitted 727 petitions to these panels across Nigeria, Dataphyte’s aggregation shows.
| STATES | NO. OF PETITIONS RECEIVED |
| GOMBE | 3 |
| OSUN | 5 |
| ONDO | 10 |
| TARABA | 11 |
| EBONYI | 15 |
| LAGOS | 15 |
| NASARAWA | 16 |
| KWARA | 18 |
| BAYELSA | 20 |
| EKITI | 22 |
| PLATEAU | 30 |
| OGUN | 40 |
| ABIA | 44 |
| OYO | 50 |
| CROSS RIVER | 54 |
| EDO | 57 |
| KATSINA | 61 |
| AKWA IBOM | 82 |
| ANAMBRA | 114 |
| ENUGU | 30 |
| IMO | 2 |
| BENUE | 31 |
| TOTAL | 730 |
Number of petitions corroborate prior investigations into defunct SARS unit.
Earlier, an investigative journalist, Mr Emmanuel Mayah spoke to SARS’ extrajudicial killings, especially in the Southern-East of Nigeria. Four years later, the petitions received in Anambra, Akwa Ibom and Enugu speak to a truth long past.
Today, Anambra state produced the highest number of petitions. This may be unconnected with the states housing the head office of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). And in the years past, its activities of unlawfully detaining citizens became infamous. Worse still, the state government’s inaction towards these indiscretions led to apathy and hopelessness among citizens. We note a similar conversation with Akwa Ibom, the state with the second highest number of petitions. Evidenced by the sheer amount of damage wrecked to government property, citizen unrest to a seemingly negligent government is palpable.
Judicial panels should police law enforcement
By and large, the events that culminated in EndSARS demonstrations speak to a problem of FG’s negligence. Neglect to her citizens and law enforcement. Luckily, said judicial panels can correct this. Even more crucial are the events that follow.
To show this is not mere tokenism, following the results from investigations, FG needs to institute these panels as an ombudsman for citizens. Because as we noted earlier occurrences stem from a place of neglect.
So, to prevent a future occurrence, the government needs to prioritise citizen feedback concerning her law enforcement. Also important are recurring assessments concerning the physical and mental faculties of Nigerian law enforcement agents.
UPDATE November 2020
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