Oyo #EndSARS panel submits report — 14 months after inauguration

The Oyo judicial panel set up to probe police brutality in the state has submitted its report to Seyi Makinde, the governor.

The report was submitted to Makinde on Wednesday by Badejoko Adeniji, a retired judge and the chairperson of the 11-member panel.

On November 10, 2020, the panel was inaugurated by the Oyo governor to probe petitions bordering on police brutality and extra-judicial killings in the state.

The panel was set up following the October 2020 nationwide protest tagged #EndSARS, during which Nigerians called for the disbandment of the now-defunct special anti-robbery squad (SARS), a police unit.

In line with the protesters’ request, the National Economic Council (NEC) recommended that states should set up judicial panels to investigate police brutality.

Ten weeks after its inauguration, the Oyo judicial panel commenced sittings.

Speaking after submission of the report, Makinde promised that his administration will implement the panel’s recommendations and transmit others to the federal government.

“This morning, the Oyo state judicial panel of inquiry into police brutality, violation of rights of citizens and unlawful killings, led by honourable justice Badejoko Adeniji, presented their report to the government,” the governor said.

“I commended members of the panel for the thorough job they did and thanked them for their service.

“I promised that the recommendations in the report would be implemented by our administration while we would pass on the necessary recommendations to the federal government.”