This is a report of the fifty-eighth public hearing of the Oyo State Judicial Panel of Inquiry into Police Brutality, Violation of Rights of Citizens and Unlawful Killings in Oyo State.
Venue: The House of Chiefs, Oyo State House of Assembly, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Date: Thursday, June 24, 2021.
Today’s sitting commenced at about 9:47am, shortly after the arrival of the Oyo State Judicial Panel members.
Petitions for Further Hearing at the Oyo State Judicial Panel
1. Case No. OYJPPB/034
Mr Salami Sarafadeen v The Nigeria Police, Saki Area Command. The petitioner was absent but was represented by D. S. Olabode (Esq.). Meanwhile, the respondent was represented by Mr M. A. Ojeah.
The petition was last adjourned to enable the respondent give an update as regards the petitioner’s motorcycle. However, Mr Ojeah, the respondent’s counsel said that he has not been able to get in touch with the Police Officer in Charge Legal, CSP Funke Fawole and the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, since the last adjourned date.
He further advised the petitioner’s counsel, Mr Olabode to accompany him to the meeting which had been fixed with CSP Fawole, as she is now available.
In response, Mr Olabode, the petitioner’s counsel said that the last adjourned date made it the third time the Oyo State Judicial Panel gave an order for the release of the petitioner’s motorcycle, but the respondent was yet to release the motorcycle.
With that, the petition was adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till June 30, 2021 for the respondent’s counsel, Mr Ojeah to give the report of the meeting with the Police Officer in Charge Legal, CSP Funke Fawole and the petitioner’s counsel, Mr Olabode.
2. Case No. OYJPPB/060
Comrade Segun Ogundepo v Nigeria Police, Agugu Division. The petitioner was present and was represented by R. A. Eyinade (Esq.). The respondent was represented by Mr M. A. Ojeah.
The petition was last adjourned to enable the respondent open a defence. The respondent’s witness, Inspector Esther Oluloro was present before the Oyo State Judicial Panel for the defence, however, the respondent’s counsel, Mr Ojeah prayed the panel for an adjournment because he was indisposed.
In view of Mr Ojeah’s ill health, the petition was adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till June 29, 2021 for further hearing.
3. Case No. OYJPPB/097
Mr Baaki Gbadebo v Oyo State Security Network Agency. The petitioner was present but was not represented by a legal counsel. The respondent was absent and was not represented by a legal counsel.
The petition was last adjourned for further hearing, however due to the absence of both counsels, the petition was adjourned till June 30, 2021 for defence. The Oyo State Judicial Panel ordered that a fresh hearing notice should be issued and served on the respondent.
Having gone through the proceedings for today, the hearing was brought to a close at about 10:20am.