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The inspector-general of police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered an investigation of the suit challenging the legality of the judicial panels set up by state governors to probe allegations of police brutality and human rights abuses.
After the #EndSARS protests, in October, the national economic council (NEC) had directed governors to establish judicial panels as means of getting justice for all victims of police brutality and their families.
But on Thursday, the police legal department filed a suit in a federal high court in Abuja through its counsel, O.M Atoyebi, arguing that the establishment of panels violates the constitution and section 21 of the tribunals of inquiry act.
Atoyebi also asked the court to restrain the defendants from conducting any investigation or setting up panels to probe the affairs of the police.
Reacting to the development, the IGP expressed disapproval, saying the force will not stop in ensuring that victims get justice.
In a statement signed by Frank Mba, police spokesman, the IGP said the officer responsible for suit has been queried and may be sanctioned “if found guilty of dereliction of duty”.
“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Adamu, has directed immediate investigations into a suit purportedly challenging the legality of the States’ Judicial Panel of Inquiry, investigating allegations by citizens against officers of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS),” the statement read.
