Youth representatives on the Anambra judicial panel of inquiry and restitution for victims of SARS-related abuses have resigned from the panel, accusing the state government of deliberate sabotage.

The five representatives alleged that Governor Willy Obiano was frustrating the panel’s move to thoroughly investigate massive accusations against his former security aide, James Nwafor, amongst other petitions received by the panel.

Mr. Nwafor, a former police superintendent, has widely been accused of heinous crimes against humanity during his time at the helm of the notorious Awkuzu SARS unit, Anambra.

Peoples Gazette had last November published allegations of extra judicial killings and other cases of brutality levelled against Mr. Nwafor and other police units in Anambra.

Many protesters had called for his immediate prosecution in the heat of the #EndSARS protest last October.

The state governor appeared to have heeded the popular demand when he set up the judicial commission to hear public complaints against the police. He also eased the notorious ex-police henchman out of office while promising to present him for justice.

But addressing the media on Sunday, Chijioke Ifediora, one of the youth representatives on the panel said the state government only set up the judicial panel to give lip service to the plights of Anambra residents.

“The government had totally ignored the panel and had simply set up the panel to play to the gallery,” Mr. Ifediora said.

“… the government, despite being aware of the interest of the public, is showing no sign of interest in the activities of the panel.

“We firmly refuse to be pawns in the games of the government, so we hereby resign our appointment into the Anambra state panel, and completely disassociate ourselves from all the charade put up to give lips service to the plights of residence in Anambra state,” he announced.

The Anambra government is yet to react to the accusations. Mr. Nwafor, however, has since remained at large.

The youth representatives that pulled out of the judicial panel are Chijioke Ifediora, Henry Chibuike Ugwu, Osanwa Chukwuka, Ebelechukwu Ngini, and Chibuike Obunozie.