This is a report of the fourth 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: Tuesday, February 2, 2021.
Today’s public sitting commenced at about 9:03am right after it was declared open by the Chaiperson of the Oyo State Judicial Panel, Hon Justice Badejoko Adeniji.
Cases at the Oyo State Judicial Panel
1. Case No. OYJPPB/031
The family of Orelope Bashit Olaide v The Nigeria Police, Iganna Area Command. The family was represented by Olatunji Waheed Orelope, Mrs Olayiwola Bilikisu Orelope and Ismaila Adisa Orelope. CSP Funke Fawole (O. C. Legal, Oyo State Police Command) appeared on behalf of the respondent. She agreed that they have been served with the necessary processes but are working on the petition file at the moment.
Subject to the convenience of the Oyo State Judicial Panel, the case was adjourned till March 2, 2021 to enable the respondent respond to the petition and to also allow the petitioner obtain the services of a pro bono counsel.
2. Case No. OYJPPB/032
The family of Late Kehinde Omotosho v The Nigeria Police, State C. I. D. Iyaganku, Ibadan. The family was not present at the sitting but was represented by Chukwudi Maduka and Mr Adewale Mosadolu. CSP Funke Fawole appeared on behalf of the respondent. She confirmed she had received the processes and sought the indulgence of the court for a week’s adjournment, so as to respond to the petition.
Therefore, the petition was adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till February 11, 2021 for mention.
3. Case No. OYJPPB/033
Mr. Alao Olayiwola v The Nigeria Police, Area F Command, Lagos. The petitioner was absent at the sitting. Although, the petition involves the Lagos Command, CSP Funke Fawole held the brief for the respondent. Barr. Fawole maintained that there is need for the Lagos Command to be served, so as to give appropriate representation to the respondent as well as get the necessary result.
The petition was adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till February 24, 2021 to enable the relevant processes to be served on the respondent.
4. Case No. OYJPPB/034
Mr Salami Sarafadeen v The Nigeria Police, Saki Area Command. The petitioner was present and was represented by Mr D. S. Olabode. CSP Funke Fawole maintained appearance for the respondent. She agreed to having been served with the necessary processes and that the response would be forwarded to the Oyo State Judicial Panel before the end of the day.
Therefore, subject to the convenience of the Oyo State Judicial Panel, the petition was adjourned till February 24, 2021 for mention.
5. Case No. OYJPPB/035
Mr. Muraina Kadiru Adeyemi v The Nigeria Police, Iyaganku. The petitioner was absent and he wasn’t represented at the sitting. CSP Funke Fawole who represented the respondent, agreed to having received the processes and that it is being worked on.
The petition was therefore adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till February 24, 2021 for mention at the instance of the respondent, and to serve a fresh hearing notice on the petitioner.
6. Case No. OYJPPB/036
Mr Oladejo Raphael v The Nigeria Police, Iyaganku. The petitioner was absent and was not represented at the sitting by a legal counsel. However, CSP Funke Fawole maintained appearance for the respondent and it was stated that the respondent is yet to react to the petition.
The petition was therefore adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till February 24, 2021 for mention and to also serve a fresh hearing notice on the petitioner. The respondent is also expected to file the necessary processes on or before the adjourned date.
7. Case No. OYJPPB/037
Mr Ayanwale Jimoh v The Nigeria Police State Command, Eleyele, Ibadan. The petitioner was present at the sitting. CSP Funke Fawole appeared on behalf of the respondent. The petitioner was informed that the Nigerian Bar Association was willing to provide petitioners with pro bono legal services.
The petition was adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till February 24, 2021 for mention and to enable the respondent file the response.
8. Case No. OYJPPB/038
Mr Adegbite Nasiru v The Nigeria Police, Eleyele, Ibadan. The petitioner was present and was represented by S. A. Oladele (Esq.). CSP Funke Fawole represented the respondent at the hearing.
The petition was adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till February 24, 2021 at the request of the parties, to enable the respondent file the necessary processes.
9. Case No. OYJPPB/039
Olamide Onikosi v The Nigeria Police Station, Iyaganku. The petitioner was present at the sitting. CSP Funke Fawole maintained appearance for the respondent. She agreed to having been served with relevant processes but was yet to respond.
The petition was therefore adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till February 24, 2021 for mention to enable the petitioner obtain pro bono legal services, and to also allow the respondent file the necessary processes.
10. Case No. OYJPPB/040
Adeyemi Adeniran v The Nigeria Police, Alabebe Police Station. The petitioner was absent at the sitting with no representation by a legal counsel. CSP Funke Fawole maintained appearance on behalf of the respondent.
The petition was adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till February 24, 2021 for mention to enable the respondent file the response. It was agreed that a fresh hearing notice would be issued and served on the petitioner.
Petitions for Hearing at the Oyo State Judicial Panel
1. OYJPPB/002
Olabamiji T. Femi v Unknown Hoodlums. The petitioner was present for the hearing and he opted to present his petition in Yoruba. The oath was administered on him. He stated his name as Olabamiji Taoreed Femi and his address as (redacted). He is the proprietor of Divine Success Nursery and Primary School. He established his school in 2014. He agreed to have written the petition. In his presentation, he stated that the thugs broke into his school, burnt documents and looted some properties during the #EndSARS protest which was hijacked by the hoodlums and thugs. He said the hoodlums destroyed:
- One hundred copies of new note books.
- Verbal Reasoning Textbooks by Straight Gate Publishers, Primary 1-5 (10 copies).
- Quantitative Reasoning by Straight Gate Publishers, Basic 1-5 (10 copies).
- Macmillan Champion Primary Mathematics, Primary 2,3,4,5 (15 Copies).
- Basic English (Evans), Basic 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 (11 copies).
- Wall clock, 1 big bell, and 1 big Oxford Dictionary.
- Five Sums in a day textbook, Six Sums in a day textbook, Seven Sums in a day textbook (12 Copies).
- Social Studies and Basic Science and Technology Textbook, Primary 3, 4, 5 (6 copies).
- Other books which he couldn’t account for.
The petitioner stated that he couldn’t find the receipt of the destroyed materials as they have been burnt together with the destroyed books. Right after his presentation, he was questioned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel to explain why he didn’t attach the estimate of the destroyed items to his petition. With this, the petitioner sought an adjournment to enable him cost the enumerated materials.
Therefore, the petition was adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till February 11, 2021 to enable the petitioner present the cost value of the materials looted by the hoodlums.
2. OYJPPB/006
M. O. Ibikunle v Unknown Hoodlums. The petitioner was present for the hearing and he chose to conduct his case by himself. The oath was administered on him before his presentation. He stated his name as Mufutau Owolabi Ibikunle and his address as (redacted). He is an auctioneer and estate manager. He agreed he wrote a petition to the Director of Protocol, governor’s office. According to him, on October 21, 2020, some hoodlums raided his residence during the #EndSARS protests and carted away with the following items:
- 3 Unit of Colored Television (22 inches with stabilizer) – N50,000
- Flat screen television – N45,000
- Samsung TV with stabilizer – N35,000
- Samsung handset – N100,000
- 2 Gionee handsets – N31,000
The petitioner was asked to present the receipts of the stolen items. He was cross examined and questioned about inconsistencies in his presentation. His responses to the questions did not conform with the date on the receipt he presented in his petition. Thereafter, the Chairperson of the Oyo State Judicial Panel, Hon Justice Adeniji stated that the panel would make recommendations and the government would get back to the petitioner.
Having examined the cases brought before the judicial panel today, Hon Justice Adeniji admonished the petitioners to access the pro bono legal services made readily available by the Nigerian Bar Association to avoid inconsistencies in future presentations. She further stated that there is an opportunity to amend submitted petitions for whosoever intends to do so. With this, the hearing was brought to a close at about 1:07pm.