TheCable

The judicial panel of inquiry on police brutality and extra-judicial killings in Oyo state commenced its sitting on Tuesday — 10 weeks after being inaugurated by Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo.

The panel members were inaugurated on November 10, 2020.

Citizens of Oyo had questioned why the judicial panel was not sitting when similar panels set up in other south-west states like Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun had commenced sitting.

Nobody is talking about seeking for justice for the victims of #PoliceBrutality in Oyo State. The judicial panel of inquiry set up by Seyi Makinde hasn't sat for one since it's inauguration. Or the #EndSARS protest is meant for selected states?

Advertisement

— Adetola A. Kehinde (IGBOMINA) (@Optimistic_Ade) December 19, 2020

Oyo State, the only state in the southwest without active Judicial Panel for Police Brutality. He inaugurated them for picture ops and then quietly disband them.

Advertisement

Seyi Makinde is a scam. He is fake

— Gen. Abiola The Patriot (@Abioolah) December 24, 2020

The 11-member panel is chaired by Bolajoko Adeniji, a retired justice.

In his address, Adeniji appealed to petitioners and respondents not to influence members of the panel. He also appealed to the media to report accurately.

“The panel consists of men and women of proven integrity, probity and honesty, and who are willing to dispense justice without fear or favour , no matter whose ox is gored. So, I implore all players in the field (i.e the legal petitioners, respondents and legal luminaries) to be prepared to handle their petitions with diligence and expeditiously as the Panel has a limited time within which to submit its report to the Government for consideration and implementation,” Banjoko said.

“I passionately appeal to all petitioners and respondents not to try to influence members of the Panel in any form or manner.

“I equally appeal to the News media professionals to abstain from publishing false or fake news about the Panel’s proceeding.”