Chairman of the Ogun State Judicial Panel of Investigation, Justice Solomon Olugbemi, has warned security operatives to desist from harassing, intimidating, or threatening any petitioner.
The chairman gave the warning on Monday at the Magistrate Court 1, Isabo, Abeokuta, saying some petitioners have been withdrawing their petitions.
The panel had announced that it received 40 petitions against Police brutality but some of them were said to have withdrawn their cases.
Olugbemi said, “Any security personnel who is found to be intimidating any petitioner would be appropriately prosecuted because this act is an offence under the law.”
Also speaking, a member of the panel, Peter Ogunyanwo (retd.), called on government and other stakeholders in charge of police operations to include courses pertaining to human rights abuse and violations.
Ogunyanwo also urged the government to organise regular workshops, promotion as well as development courses in the force training curriculum.
He made the call after questioning one Inspector Falolu Sadiku, who was alleged to have abused the right of Mr Adeniyi Otusanya as well as Inspector Babajide Adebusuyi and his team.
The Inspector and his team also allegedly raided and detained the late Seyi Akinade, a forex trader unlawfully, leading to his death after losing over N7 million to forex trading.
He added that so many of the police officers find themselves in the mess of abusing citizens’ rights because the majority of them never received any training on such as affirmed by Inspector Sadiku.
