#EndSARS: LAWYERS REPOSE CONFIDENCE IN OGUN JUDICIAL PANEL OF INVESTIGATION

          A legal practitioner, Barrister Kayode Akinsola, has expressed faith in the integrity of Ogun Judicial Panel of Investigation set up to receive and investigate complaints of victims on police brutality, human rights violations and extra judicial killings.

          Barrister Akinsola who was also the Lead Counsel for the petitioner concerning the gruesome murder of Mr. Abiola Adeyanju said, "I feel very confident about the integrity of the Judicial Panel of Investigation sitting in Ogun State and I believe that by the time their recommendations would be out, it would be something worthwhile".  

          The lawyer who made this known at the Magistrate Court 1, Isabo, Abeokuta, while speaking with newsmen after the Panel's sitting said, "what I have seen today really reposed confidence in me that the Panel would ensure justice".

          Akinsola disclosed that the deceased was shot by a drunk police officer, Sgt. Tunji Ademuyegun at a party in Alagada area of Oba, on the 19th December, 2019 after which he ran away and till today had not been found.

          The petitioners, Messrs. Sadiq Jabar and Ahmed Omokayode who wrote on behalf of the family, called on the panel for justice, demanding prosecution of the officer, pleading for adequate compensation for the family, because the deceased had an aged mother and a five-year-old daughter.

          Other legal practitioners who expressed same reactions include Barrister Akinyemi Adetunji and Barrister Kayode Akinyemi, after appearing for their respective clients at the Panel's sitting.

OGUN LIFTS BAN ON BMT, UNDERSCORES SAFETY AS ITS PARAMOUNT OBJECTIVE

Ogun State Ministry of Transportation has lifted the suspension order placed on commercial Bus Mass Transit shuttling between Abeokuta and Ijebu Ode in the State following the adherence of the operators to the necessary operational prerequisites laid down by government before plying the roads.

The Commissioner for Transportation in the State, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, who made this known while speaking with newsmen at the government's Computerised Vehicles Inspection Centre in Abeokuta, said the operators have complied with the laid down regulations by government following a comprehensive tests conducted on their buses.

Speaking through the Director of Vehicle Inspection Services, Engineer Adewale Ademehin, the Commissioner underscored the State government's stance on safety as its paramount objective, maintaining that such can only be achieved when commercial vehicles are in good condition and operation done with sanity on the road.

He said "the scale of damage and destruction caused by poor condition of vehicles plying the roads is a major concern of this administration and the State Government has immediately empowered the VIS and other sister agencies like Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Authority (TRACE) to ensure strict compliance and enforcement of basic vehicle care, road worthiness and safety actions that would mitigate the safety risks linked to incessant carnage orchestrated by vehicles' poor condition".

Dairo maintained that the safety of citizens of the State is paramount to the present government, assuring that Governor Dapo Abiodun will leave no  stone unturned towards providing adequate safety on and off the road for the people of the State.

The General Manager of Priceberg Limited, operators of the BMT, Mr Adewale Odusanya, commended the State government for taking safety in the transport sector as a major concern, urging government to extend the comprehensive check on vehicles to all private and commercial vehicles in the State.

Ogun Judicial Panel: 40 petitions in, victims recount loses from defunct SARS

 

A petitioner, Mr. Musbau Semiu  Ademola who was stopped by the disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) operatives on May 13, 2020 while coming from Obasanjo hatchery farm where he went to buy 650 day old chickens and turkeys was delayed for over two hours.

Mr. Ademola made this known during the maiden edition of the sitting of Ogun Judicial Panel of Investigation set up to investigate complaints of victims on police brutality, human rights violations and extra judicial killings by security operatives within the State revealing that the delay led to the death of 335 birds costing N448,500 which has made him to be living from hand to mouth ever since then due to the great loss.

After the respondent, Inspector Fatai Rabiu had given evidence and answered questions from the petitioner and the Panel, the matter was adjourned till 11th November 2020 for further hearing.

Another petitioner, Mr. Tunji Adeoso, from Abeokuta said his brother in-law, Sunday Olorunnisola was arrested and detained by a SARS officer, Corporal Omosolape Ahmed popularly known as Oosa at their Magbon station in Abeokuta and while trying to plead for his release, he got a serious slap from corporal Ahmed who later collected a sum of N150,000 from the family before releasing the detained boy.

The Panel Chairman, Hon. Justice Solomon Olugbemi (rtd) said the petitioner and the respondent would be invited when the panel finishes its investigation and evaluation on the matter.

Addressing journalists after the sitting, Justice Olugbemi who revealed that the Panel had already received 40 petitions called on those who still have theirs not to hesitate to, enjoining petitioners not to be afraid because nobody would harass them.

The Chairman assured that the investigation process cannot dampen the morale of security operatives because it would ensure justice for all adding that the panel sitting days are Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

On his part, the State's Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Gbolahan Adeniran noted that justice is crucial in the fabrics of the society revealing that Governor Dapo Abiodun is interested in the activities of the Panel while assuring that adding that this government would ensure justice for all.