This was contained in a statement issued by the state commissioner for information, Mr C Don Aninuba in Awka on Friday.
The statement reads, “The governor noted with dismay reports of inhuman treatment to the youths by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force, and consequently lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for disbanding SARS in accordance with the wishes of Nigerian youths and also for acceding to their four requests for a better police force.”
The panel, the statement added, is headed by the Hon Justice V. N, Umeh (retired), and has 39 days to complete its assignment.
Members of the committee, according to Adinuba, are a representative of the Association of Anambra State Students; three youth leaders from the three senatorial zones in the state; a member of the National Youth Service Corps in the state; Anambra State chairman, Civil Liberties Organisation and chairperson, Anambra Civil Society Network.
Others are chairman of the Youth Council of Nigeria, Anambra State chapter; a representative of the youth wing of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Anambra State; chairman of the youth wing of the Anambra Town Unions (ASATU); chairman of the Christian Association, Anambra State, and a nominee of the archbishop of the Anglican Province of the Niger.
Also are a nominee of the archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha; a representative of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Anambra State; a representative of the chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council; the state attorney general and commissioner for justice; the commissioner for youths and creative economy; the two youngest members of the state executive council, and the special adviser to the governor on creative security.”
Adinuba stated that the panel would look, in particular, into allegations of extrajudicial killings by a former head of the SARS office in the state, Chief Superintendent of Police James Nwafor (retired), whose appointment as a special assistant to the governor has since been terminated, adding that, “he will face prosecution if found guilty of any of the alleged offences.”
“Obiano, in the statement, further directed the state commissioner of police to review all detentions in not just the SARS facilities in the state, but also in all police formations to ensure that the freedoms and dignity of all citizens were upheld at all times.”