President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Abuja directed the Inspector
General of Police, Ministry of Justice and the National Human Rights
Commission (NHRC) to work out modalities for the implementation of the
report of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the Special
Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), within three months.
The President gave the directive while receiving the 2804 page-report
from the Panel headed by Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary, NHRC, at the
State House.
The report of the Panel, which is in Four Volumes had among other things
recommended the dismissal of 37 police officers from the force and the
prosecution of 24 officers.
The Panel also directed the IGP to unravel the identity of 22 officers
involved in the violation of human rights of innocent citizens while the
police was directed to pay compensation of various sums in 45 complaints
and tender public apologies in five complaints, and to obey court orders
in 5 matters.
The Panel recommended the establishment of State and local government
police and the renaming of SARS to Anti-Robbery Section (ARS) which was
its original name and to make the section operate under the intelligence
arm of the Police.
Responding, President Buhari said, inter alia:
”I am very happy with the work of the Panel and thank the Panel members
for working hard towards the realization of the Presidential Directive.
”I believe that the Report of the Panel and recommendations contained
therein would go a long way in redressing the grievances of the
complainants, ensure accountability on the part of the Police Officers
in discharging their responsibilities and facilitate the various Police
reforms being introduced by this administration.
”I want to assure you and all Nigerians that this Administration will
continue to fulfill its obligations of promoting and protecting human
rights of Nigerians, and will give the National Human Rights Commission
all the support required to ensure full implementation of the
recommendations contained in its Report.
”In addition, we will strengthen the operations of the Commission to
enhance its effectiveness and capability to resolve cases of human
rights violations.
”This administration is conscious of the role the Commission plays in
ensuring security and stability in the nation through the resolution of
complaints of human rights violations, which if neglected, could result
into major security challenges.
”As you are aware, I have recently approved the reconstitution of the
Governing Council of the Commission. The names of the Council members
will be submitted to the National Assembly for confirmation before the
inauguration of the Council in line with NHRC Act, 1995 (as amended).
”I want to thank the Panel once more, and hereby direct that since the
recommendations of the Commission that constituted the Panel are
enforceable as decisions of the Court, that the Inspector General of
Police and the Solicitor General of the Federation/Permanent Secretary,
Federal Ministry of Justice meet with the Commission to work out the
modalities for the implementation of the Report within 3 months from
today”