An independent panel of enquiry constituted by the National Human Right Commission (NHRC) to look into cases of police brutality in Nigeria have refused to resume sitting after the yuletide break over poor funding by the government.
The committee which was set up during the first week of thr #EndSars mass action have proceeded on christmas and new year break and were expected to resume duty on monday 11th .
Informations gathered by newsmen revealed that some elected member of the panel have decided that the scheduled resumption of the panel be put on hold over non-payment of their sitting allowance.
A source close to the panel said members were expected to arrive Abuja at the weekend preparatory to the resumption of the panel’s sitting today, but they were told not to come yet because resources were inadequate.
“The panel has nine members, who are from across the country. They come from Lagos, Gombe, Enugu, Port-Harcourt and so on. The panel is expected to seat for six months. It has sat for three months, having commenced sitting since October last year.
“The panel has received over 300 petitions and it is still receiving more across the country. It seems Nigerians prefer the panel to those sitting in states.
“It (the panel) has a lot to attend to, but it is suffering from inadequate funding. That is why it may not resume sitting anytime soon, until the issue is addressed, “the source said.
But, the NHRC gave a different reason why the panel suspended its sitting to “a date to be announced later.”
NHRC’s spokeswoman, Mrs. Fatimah Agwai Mohammed said the postponement of the panel’s resumption was to enable it put in place measures in compliance with the Federal Government’s COVID-19 protocols.
“It is not true that funding is responsible. We decided to re-adjust the panel’s activities in view of the increasing threat of COVID 19. We don’t want to put our staff, panel members, complainants and their lawyers at risk.
“We have decided to suspend proceedings pending when we are able to put in place all the necessary measures to ensure we operate at no health risk to anybody.
“We are currently also re-adjusting our cause list to reduce the number of petitions to be taken daily, while also working on the duration of sitting daily,” she said.
She however said the commission requires additional funding to enable it put in place all it needs to ensure that everyone is safe before the panel resumes sitting.
“Honestly. I do not know exactly when the panel would resume sitting. We want to ensure that all necessary measures are in place. That of course requires more funding, “the NHRC’s spokeswoman said.
TheNation
