The Rivers Judicial Commission of inquiry against police brutality on Tuesday ended its sitting in Port Harcourt. 

The judicial commission began hearing on November 24, 2020.

On October 22, 2020, Governor Nyesom Wike inaugurated the panel chaired by retired Justice Chukwunoye Uriri.

The commission was borne out of the federal government’s directive that states should set up a judicial panel to hear cases of police brutality, in the wake of the #EndSARS protests (a campaign against police brutality and extortion) across the country.

On October 20, 2020, the Nigerian Army was accused of killing dozens of unarmed protesters at the Lekki toll gate. The military denied the allegation. 

Peoples Gazette learnt the panel received 187 petitions, struck out 76 cases for lack of competence which included cases already in court and cases outside of the commission’s jurisdiction, and 94 petitions were reserved for conference hearing.

Mr. Uriri said the reports and the reserved petitions, including recommendations, would be submitted to the government for consideration and action.

Victims of police brutality and their relatives in Rivers are either seeking compensation from the police for torture, return of corpses of loved ones as well as the release of those still in prison.

However, the Gazette also learnt that people in the state pointed out that the number of days the commission’s hearing was short.