‘We refuse to be pawns’ — 5 youth reps withdraw from Anambra #EndSARS panel

Five youth representatives have resigned their membership of the Anambra judicial panel, set up by the state government to probe police brutality and extrajudicial killings.

In October 2020, youths took to the streets in many parts of the country to protest against police brutality and call for the disbandment of the now-defunct special anti-robbery squad (SARS).

Chijioke Ifediora, one of the panel members, announced the decision of the youth representatives at a media briefing on Sunday.

The other youth representatives are Henry Ugwu, Osonwa Chukwuka, Ebelechukwu Ngini, and Chibuike Obiwuzie.

Ifediora alleged that the administration of Willie Obiano, governor of Anambra state, did not set up the panel “to genuinely address the plight of victims and families of police brutality”.

He accused the state government of neglecting the panel, and refusing to provide logistics to facilitate the proceedings.

He also disclosed that the panel has not resumed hearing since December, despite 250 pending petitions.

“Over 250 pending petitions from the 310 submitted, but no word had been heard from government since the panel adjourned early December, whereas it was supposed to have resumed on January 14,” he said

“The application for more sitting days to enable the panel to attend to the plethora of cases has not been granted, and the society now see members of the panel as conniving with government to deny them right to fair hearing.

“It is imperative to mention that Anambra, under your watch and that of your predecessor, was the cynosure of police brutality, extortion, and even extrajudicial killings in Nigeria.

“The notorious defunct special anti-robbery squad (SARS), Awkuzu, and numerous other police outfits in Anambra state have become infamous around the world for outrageous, unconscionable, and iniquitous violations of the fundamental rights of Nigerians, including the right to life.”

Ifediora noted that the youth representatives refuse to be “pawns in the game of the government”, adding that they have decided to dissociate themselves from the panel, which they described as “a charade put up to give lip service to the plights of residents of Anambra state’’.

“We were impressed when the government promptly constituted the panel to investigate cases of police brutality and recommend compensation to victims, among other points in its terms of reference,” he said.

“Sadly, the sittings of the panel were characterised by inefficiency and poor organisation, because the state government failed woefully to adequately provide for logistics for anything at all involving the proceedings of the panel.

“We are, however, now convinced beyond peradventure that the Anambra state government has no regard for the victims of the many human rights violations by the police in the state.

“Many victims and other interested stakeholders have been communicating with the panel’s secretariat or its members in a bid to know why the panel is no longer sitting, despite more than 250 petitions which have been unattended to.”

The development comes days after Rinu Oduala, one of the organisers of the #EndSARS protests, had also withdrawn from the Lagos judicial panel.