By Correspondent in Lokoja
The Human Rights Special Intervention Group (HRSIG) in Kogi State has received six petitions and complaints on all human right violations by the Law Enforcement Agencies according to its chairma, Barr.Ibrahim Alhassan.
He made the disclosure at a Public Hearing on ENDSARS# Protest, Complaints and Petitions on Human Rights Violations and Brutality By Law Enforcement Agencies, on Tuesday in Lokoja.
The Reporters,an online media platform, recalls that the committee was constituted by Kogi State Government,through the office of the Public Defender and Citizens Rights Commission (PDCRC), to look into instances of alleged police brutality.
Alhassan further disclosed that the committee had synergized with members of the media, to sensitise the people on the need to submit their petitions on all human rights violations.
He said that the outcome of the combined efforts resulted in committee receiving six petitions, hence the call for the public hearing on those petitions from the petitioners.
Alhassan,who reminded the public that the committee’s door was still open for more complaints and petitions on human rights violations, urged the aggrieved residents of the state to come and submit their petitions.
He added that the Public hearing was to allow all petitioners come, forward and present their complaints before the committee while the law enforcement agencies would also be given the opportunity to give their own side of the story.
This, he said was to ensure that the preservation of the fundamental rights of citizens of the state as enshrined in the Constitution were maintained and sustained.
Earlier, the Chairman, Governing Council of PDCRC, Barr. Muizudeen Abdullahi, said the exercise was in line with the responsibility of government to preserve the sanctity of human person as provided under Section 17(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
He explained that in the wake of ENDSARS protest in Nigeria, Governor Yahaya Bello directed Kogi PDCRC to constitute HRSIG, to intervene, investigate and rapidly resolve complaints of brutalities by law enforcement agencies in the state.
He recalled that the HRSIG, consisting of 10 members, was inaugurated on October 15, 2020 with members drawn from all relevant agencies, based on their track records.
He said: ”The inauguration of the special intervention group was in response to the persistent violation of rights of Kogi residents and their inability to easily access justice.
”It is expedient to state that Kogi State was the first to set up such committee even before the president directed all states to so do.
”Kogi Government is among the few states that have established an office,such as the PDCRC, to Provide legal aid and other services to citizens of the state most especially the indigents,
”To deal with all matters relating to the protection of human rights as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
”To assist victims of human rights violation and seek appropriate redress and remedies on their behalf, among others.
”We seek for the cooperation of all parties so as to enable a successful deliberation and resolution of all petitions presented before the committee.
”Petitioners are urged to present their complaints without any fear but courteously as they have the protection of the law, the State and the commission.
”The Respondents are also encouraged to participate with all civility so as to see that cases of brutalities and violations of rights are absolutely stamped out of the state.”
Other stakeholders at the meeting include: the Police, NSCDC, Kogi VGS, NBA, FIDA, NGOs.
