The former Chief Judge of Ebonyi State Justice, Alloy Nwankwo, on Monday vowed to ensure that any security officer or agencies that violated rights of citizens in the state are prosecuted without fear or favour.
Justice Nwankwo is the state chairman judicial panel of enquiry made this known during the panel’s inaugural sitting in Abakaliki.
He assured the panel’s commitment to look into all cases of police brutality, human rights violation or related extra-judicial killings that took place in the state.
The chairman revealed that the panel has so far received five petitions from the public.
Justice Nwankwo noted further that the panel will commence hearing into the cases immediately.
He said that the panel was presently serving all parties involved to avoid infringing on peoples’ rights, noting that its sitting days will be announced in due course.
“We seek the cooperation of everybody in effectively and efficiently discharging this assignment as the panel has a friendly atmosphere that allows the public to present their cases.
Nwankwo said that the panel will give the public, unfettered right to speak about their experiences in the hands of security agencies, to enable us to make our findings and recommend appropriately.
“Nigerian citizens enjoy many rights but the inalienable, fundamental rights of citizens are statute-protected by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)”.
He pledged that in determining the cases presented before it, the panel will ensure restitution to those whose fundamental human rights have been or were violated by security agents in the state.
“The panel had several meetings in order to discuss the ‘modus operandi’ in hearing of petitions/complaints before it.
He said that the panel also resolved to observe all rules of natural justice and accord all parties equal opportunities of hearing.
