#EndSars: National Human Rights Commission Calls For Complaints, Fixes November 2nd As Deadline

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is inviting members of the public to submit complaints to its Independent Investigation Panel (IIP) on allegations of human rights violations by members of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian Police from all the States of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory.

This is contained in a Notice signed by the NHRC Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu Esq., made available to newsmen

Ojukwu said complaints are to be sent by email or post or deposited at the headquarters of the Commission. The complaints can also sent to the offices of the Commission in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory

All complaints are to be sent on or before 2nd of November, 2020

Read the full notice below:

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

Federal Republic of Nigeria

[Sections 6(1)(a,d,e,f and g) of the National Human Rights Commission Act, 1995, as amended]

INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIVE PANEL ON HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BY DEFUNCT SPECIAL ANTI-ROBBERY SQUAD (SARS) AND OTHER UNITS OF THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE 2020

CALL FOR PETITIONS/NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

1.0 Introduction

1.1 The National Human Rights Commission (the Commission) was established by the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act 1995, with amendment in 2010 to promote and protect the human rights of Nigerian citizens in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and other national laws, regional and international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a state party.

1.2 The human rights violations allegedly perpetrated by officers and men of the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigeria Police Force have come under focus in recent times. Various reports of alleged extrajudicial killings, illegal arrests, torture, disappearances, extortions, confiscation of property, violations of dignity and privacy, etc. have received national and global attentions. Nigerian citizens, especially young people have been victims of these human rights violations and have brought attention of the Commission and the Government of Nigeria to the alleged violations committed by SARS and other police units over the years.

2.0 Constitution of Independent Investigative Panel (IIP)

2.1 In response to the above and in exercise of its independent mandate under section 6(1)(a,d,e,f and g) of the National Human Rights Commission Act of 2010, the Commission has established an Independent Investigative Panel (IIP) to investigate allegations of human rights violations against SARS and other units of the Nigeria Police Force and to make appropriate recommendations and award compensations where appropriate.

2.2 The Eleven-Person Panel comprises the following members:
a. Chair of the Panel;
b. Two Representatives of the Civil Society;
c. Representative of the National Human Rights Commission;
d. Two Representatives of Nigerian Youths;
e. Representative of the Police Service Commission;
f. Representative of Nigerian Police Force;
g. Representative of the Nigerian Bar Association; and
h. Representative of the academia.

2.3 The IIP shall have a Secretariat which shall be charged with the coordination of the work of the Panel.
2.4 The terms and reference of the IIP are to:
a. Investigate allegations of human rights violations and abuse of power made against defunct SARS and other units of the Nigerian Police Force. (sec. 6(a) of the NHRC Act, 2010);
b. Make determination as to the damages or compensation payable in relation to any violation of human rights where it deems this necessary in the circumstances of the case (sec. 6(e) of the NHRC Act, 2010)
c. Refer any matter of human rights violation requiring prosecution to the Attorney
General of the Federation or of a State, as the case may be in accordance with the
NHRC Act, 2010);
d. Make recommendations to government on:
i) Measures to be taken in respect of operatives of defunct SARS or officers of the Nigerian Police Force, if any, found in violation of human rights of citizens;
ii) Propose Remedial steps that may enhance the professional conduct of defunct SARS operatives, any succeeding unit and other members of the
Nigeria Police Force and iii) Any other recommendations that may be considered appropriate.

3.0 Call for Petitions

3.1 The National Human Rights Commission hereby invites members of the public to submit Petitions or Memoranda to the IIP on allegations of human rights violations by members of the defunct SARS and other units of the Nigerian Police from all the States of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory.
3.2 Petitions to the IIP should be computer-written and submitted in the following format:

1. A heading which shall include the Name, Address, Email and Telephone of complainant/victim.
2. A body which shall include:
a. A narrative or facts as to the nature of the human rights violation
b. Name of the Alleged Violator (defunct SARS or other Officials of the Police) c. Rank (if any)
d. Unit (of Officials)
e. Location of violations (where violation occurred)
f. The Command of SARS or other Officials (where known)
g. Zone (of SARS or other Officials)
h. Date of Incident(s)
i. Whether reported elsewhere before and if so, the outcome
3. Reliefs and/or Prayers sought from the Panel
4. Supporting Documents attached
5. Other material(s) or evidence
6. Names/address and contacts phones of witness (if any)
7. Signature/thumbprint of complainant/victim or legal Representative

3.3 Every petition shall contain the following declaration at the end of the petition, attesting to the authenticity of the facts of the case presented to the IIP in the following format: “I
…………… (please print your name), do solemnly declare that the facts I have presented before the Independent Investigative Panel is true and in accordance with the Oaths Act”

3.4 Submission of Petitions
1. Petitions should be sent by email or post or deposited at the headquarters of the Commission with the following address:
The Executive Secretary,
National Human Rights Commission No. 19, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.
Email: petitions@nhrc.gov.ng
Attention: Secretary, Independent Investigative Panel (IIP) on Human Rights Violations by SARS/Police

2. Petitions can also be sent to the offices of the Commission in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory in the addresses annexed to this Notice.

3.5 Petitions should reach the National Human Rights Commission headquarters or State Office before close of business on the 2nd of November 2020. This deadline is also applicable to petitions sent by email.

3.6 In addition to all citizens who have been victims or survivors of human rights violations by the Police, petitions are also requested from the following organisations and bodies:

1. Police Public Complaints Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU);
2. IGP X-Squad;
3. IGP Monitoring Unit;
4. Other Police Complaint bodies;
5. Public Complaint Commission;
6. Police Service Commission;
7. Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission;
8. Any other Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal and State Governments that have received complaints on SARS and Police operations and activities;
9. Civil Society Organisations;
10. International Non-Governmental Organisations with country offices in Nigeria;
11. End SARS Campaign;
12. Members of the Nigerian Bar Association

3.7 The IIP is constituted pursuant to relevant provisions of the National Human Rights Commission Act 1995 as amended. The procedure of the IIP shall be guided by the National Human Rights Commission’s Act 1995 as amended, Rules of fair hearing as well as other relevant rules and procedure as may be deemed appropriate by the Panel in line with section 6(a) of the said Act.

3.8 The Panel will hold public sittings in Abuja and also violation locations in six (6) geo-political zones if need arises.

3.9 All enquiries on the activities of the IIP should be addressed to the Secretary of the Panel who will be reached on 08006472428 or petitions@nhrc.gov.ng

Signed

Tony Ojukwu Esq.
Executive Secretary
National Human Rights Commission, Abuja

Annex

State Offices of the National Human Rights Commission

;.S/N	STATE OFFICE	COORDINATOR	ADDRESS	PHONE NO
1.	FCT	Aver Gavar (DL)	N0 8, Sina Balogun Close, Off Galilee Street, Karu Site	08033296152
2.	HRI	Halima Oyedele (DDR)	Tonimas Estate, 2201,Cadastral Zone, Liberia Road, Katampe, Abuja.
3.	ABIA	Uche Nwokocha (DDL) nwokocha@gmail.com nhrcabia@gmail.com	No.9, Item Street, Off Calabar Road, Umuahia, Abia State.	08033473732
4.	ANAMBRA	Ugwanyi  Nkechi Flaura (ADI) nhrcaawka@yahoo.com lauraofong@yahoo.co.uk	Block 21 Government House,Old Secretariat Awka , Anambra State,	08067874450
5	AKWA IBOM	Anthony A. Iji(CIO) nhrcakwaibom@gmail.com tonaji2001@yahoo.com	No.160 Nwaniba RoadUyo, Akwa Ibom State	08035403780
6	ADAMAWA	Grace N. MamzaSIO nhrcadamawa@gmail.com	No. 14 Atiku Abubakar Way,Jimeta, Yola. Adamawa state	0703183152208025498292
7	BAUCHI	Yahcit Susan Dala (CLO) yahcitdala@yahoo.co.uk nhrcbauchi@nhrc.gov.ng	No.8, Justice Sabo SuleimanDarazo Complex, After Shafa Roundabout, Adjacent NEPA, Yelwa Dass Road, Bauchi.	08023400439
8	BAYELSA	Eugene Baadom (ADI) nhrcbayelsaoffice@gmail.com	No. 69 Saptex Road,Yenezue Epie,Yenegoa, Bayelsa State.	08035424022
9	BENUE	Tyover Joshua Aondotindi            (ACLO) nhrcbenue@gmail.com	MDGs Office ComplexKuanum Acka Street Old GRA, Makurdi	08136730830
10	BORNO	Jummai Usman Mshelia CLO (Ag. Coordinator) nhrcnez@gmail.com	No. 4 Bama Road, Maiduguri, Borno State.	08067833036
11	CALABAR	Ebele U. Menekaya (ADR) nhrccalabar@gmail.com	No.39 Okoro Agbor, IbomLayout Calabar, Cross River State	08037135494
12	DELTA	Alphues Ngwu (DDA)Uzondiogo@gmail.com,	No. 10 Maryam Babangida Way, Opposite State Universal Basic,	08039463100