This is a report of the fortieth 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: Wednesday, April 28, 2021.
Today’s sitting commenced at about 9:26am, shortly after the arrival of the Oyo State Judicial Panel members.
Petitions for Mention at the Oyo State Judicial Panel
1. Case No. OYJPPB/023
Mrs Oluwabunmi Adeogun v Attorney General of the Federation and Four Others. The petitioner was absent and was not represented by a legal counsel. The respondent was also absent and was not represented by a legal counsel.
It was pointed out at the last adjourned date that there is a subsisting judgement on the said matter and the petition was adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel to enable the petitioner’s counsel employ all the necessary legal machineries needed for the enforcement of the judgement. However, the petitioner and his counsel were absent at the sitting.
In view of this, petition OYJPPB/079 was struck out.
2. Case No. OYJPPB/024
Mr Emmanuel A. Imomoh v Inspector-General of Police and Three Others. The petitioner was absent and was not represented by a legal counsel. Meanwhile, Mr M. A. Ojeah appeared on behalf of the respondent.
The petitioner in this case is a legal practitioner and he had represented himself at the last adjourned date.
The Oyo State Judicial Panel had pointed out that it lacks the jurisdiction to preside over the matter because there is a subsisting judgement on the matter.
With this, petition OYJPPB/024 was struck out.
3. Case No. OYJPPB/088
Mrs Idowu Adeagbo Ajao, Mrs Olukemi Olayiwola and Akeem Rafiu v The Nigeria Police, SARS Dugbe, Ibadan. The petitioners were absent and were not represented by a legal counsel. Meanwhile, Mr M. A. Ojeah maintained appearance on behalf of the respondent.
At the last adjourned date, the petitioner was advised to explore the possibility of action on the case which is pending in court as well as confirm the next date of court adjournment.
The petition was struck out by the Oyo State Judicial Panel because the matter is in the regular court.
Petitions for Hearing at the Oyo State Judicial Panel
4. Case No. OYJPPB/073
Mr Seye Brodie-mends v Nigeria Police, SARS Dugbe. The petitioner was present and was represented by Adeshile Obasa (Esq.) and T. G. Aguero (Esq.). Meanwhile, Mr M. A. Ojeah maintained appearance on behalf of the respondent.
The matter was last adjourned on April 20, 2021 to enable the legal counsel ascertain the status of the legal advice from the Ministry of Justice. It was however gathered from the Director of Public Prosecution, Oyo State that the said petitioner has a case in court.
The respondent’s counsel, Mr Ojeah therefore prayed the Oyo State Judicial Panel for the sum of N100,000 as compensation for the efforts put into the matter because investigation had been carried out and a response had been filed.
The Oyo State Judicial Panel however pointed out that it does not have the jurisdiction to preside over criminal matters. The panel added that Mr Ojeah’s request had been noted and would be forwarded to the appropriate quarters at the end of the sitting.
With this, petition OYJPPB/073 was struck out.
5. Case No. OYJPPB/075
Mrs Oluwatoyin Oseni v The Nigeria Police, Ikeja Police Command and Commissioner of Police, Oyo State. The petitioner was present and was represented by Temitope Adesiyan (Esq.). The first respondent was absent and was not represented by a legal counsel while the second respondent was represented by Mr M. A. Ojeah.
Mrs Oluwafolake Ogundele, the counsel to the Oyo State Judicial Panel said that after the panel’s visitation to the former SARS office at Dugbe to ascertain if the petitioner’s car was in the premises, an officer took her phone number and promised to furnish her with the report of the findings. She however said that the officer called her on the phone to inform her that the petitioner’s car has been found at the old SARS office in Oyo.
Mr Ojeah, the second respondent’s counsel said that he was not aware of the development but he promised to liaise with the counsel to the Oyo State Judicial Panel, Mrs Oluwafolake Ogundele to ensure that the car is handed over to panel.
The petition was therefore adjourned till May 19, 2021 for the report of the recovery of the petitioner’s car and possible hearing.
6. Case No. OYJPPB/076
The Family of Gbolahan Samuel Adedoyin v The Nigeria Police, Operation Burst. The petitioner was represented by Michael Adebiyi Ishola and a legal counsel, A. T. Onikosi (Esq.). Meanwhile, Mr Kayode A. Babalola appeared on behalf of the respondent.
The petitioner’s counsel, Mr Onikosi said that the petitioner’s statement on oath had not been filed before the Oyo State Judicial Panel. He therefore prayed the panel for an adjournment to enable him do the needful.
Mr Kayode, the respondent’s counsel however said that he had been served with a copy of the petition but had no intention to file a response, as he would rely on the petitioner’s case.
With this, the petition was adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till May 6, 2021 for definite hearing.
7. Case No. OYJPPB/077
Mrs Sumbo Salami v The Nigeria Police, Adelubi Station. The petitioner was present and was represented by Deborah Oluyemisi Collins (Esq.) and Afolake Adeoba (Esq.). Meanwhile, the respondent was represented by Mr M. A. Ojeah.
Deborah Oluyemisi Collins (Esq.), the petitioner’s counsel said that she would present three relevant witnesses before the Oyo State Judicial Panel. With that, the first witness was invited to the witness stand and he was sworn on the Bible.
The name of the first witness is Dr. Omoniyi Adeoye. He is the Chief Medical Director of Calvary Medical Centre, Molade, Ibadan. He said he has been practicing for 12 years. He said he issued the medical report on the 27th of September 2020 in respect of Salami Sumbo who was 50 years at that time.
He said that the petitioner came to the hospital at about 9:35pm on the 18th of September, 2020 with an open wound on her wrist which was about 6cm in length and 2cm in depth, bruises on her back as well as generalised body pain. He said that the petitioner had told him that she was beaten by police officers. He said that he sutured the deep wound on the petitioner’s wrist after which he administered analgesic drugs and injections on her. He said that the petitioner was mildly dehydrated and he suspected that she had cried for a long time. He said that the petitioner was discharged two days later.
He said that he had appeared before the Oyo State Judicial Panel because the petitioner approached him about two weeks ago, to inform him that his presence was needed as a witness.
The petitioner’s counsel, Deborah Oluyemisi Collins (Esq.) therefore tendered the medical report dated September 27, 2020 before the Oyo State Judicial Panel and it was marked and admitted as an exhibit.
The witness was crossed examined by the respondent’s counsel, Mr Ojeah and the members of the Oyo State Judicial Panel. With this, the second witness was invited to the witness stand and she was sworn on the Bible.
The name of the second witness is Sumbo Salami. She lives at (redacted) Ibadan. She is 51 years old. She is a fashion designer. She prayed the Oyo State Judicial Panel to adopt her written statement on oath which was deposed on the 19th of April, 2021 as her evidence.
She recalled that she had a disagreement with her neighbours due to generator fumes. She said that her neighbour had placed his generator very close to her window and when she complained she was beaten. She said that she proceeded to report the incident at Adelubi Police Station, but nothing was done.
She said that a result of this, her lawyer, Funmi Oyedepo wrote a petition on her behalf and the matter was taken to court. She said the court served a summon on her neighbours.
She said that her neighbour quarreled with her afterwards and also threatened to deal with her. She said that she went back to Adelubi Police Station to report the threat but she was beaten and detained for the whole day, by the police officers. She said that the police officers had beaten her with sticks and hit her on the wrist with a gun because she wrote a petition to report them for not taking actions. She said that she went to Calvary Hospital, Molade and she was treated by Dr. Omoniyi.
She said that she approached FIDA’s [International Federation of Women Lawyers] office afterwards and a petition was written on her behalf to the Commissioner of Police after she had complained about what happened to her at Adelubi Police Station. She said that due to the petition, the DPO of Adelubi Police Station, CSP Ehindero invited her to Aiyepe Police Station where she was able to identify three out of the police officers who had beaten her. She mentioned the name of one of the police officers as Funmilola Ojo.
The petitioner’s counsel, Deborah Oluyemisi Collins (Esq.) therefore tendered a copy of the first petition, photographs of the wound, and the blood-stained cloth before the Oyo State Judicial Panel and they were marked and admitted as exhibits.
Thereafter, the petitioner was cross examined by the respondent’s counsel, Mr Ojeah and the members of the Oyo State Judicial Panel. The third witness was invited to the witness stand and was sworn on the Quran.
The name of the witness is Tajudeen Atanda. He is an estate agent. He prayed the Oyo State Judicial Panel to adopt his written statement on oath which was deposed on the 19th of April, 2021, as his evidence before the panel.
He said that the petitioner called him on the phone one day to inform him that she was ready to pay her house rent. He said he went to the house and saw the petitioner and her neighbours exchanging words. He said he told her to leave the house for peace to reign but the petitioner told him that she would go and report the matter at Adelubi Police Station.
He said that he called her on the phone around 2pm on the same day but there was no response from her end. He said he called her again around 6pm when he closed from work and she told him that she was at the station. He said that he went to Adelubi Police Station and saw that the petitioner had been severely wounded.
He said that she was later released and he accompanied her to Calvary Hospital, Molade for medical treatment.
Thereafter, the petitioner was cross examined by the respondent’s counsel, Mr Ojeah and the members of the Oyo State Judicial Panel.
The petition was therefore adjourned till May 19, 2021 to enable the respondent open a defence.
8. Case No. OYJPPB/086
Akeem Babatunde and Abiola Babatunde v Inspector-General of Police and Three Others. The first petitioner was present while the second petitioner was absent. Both petitioners were represented by Abiodun Ogunjimi (Esq.), while the respondent was represented by Mr M. A. Ojeah.
The petitioner’s counsel, Mr Ogunjimi said that the second petitioner was absent because he now resides in Germany and that the he is the first petitioner’s brother. He added that the first petitioner is the only relevant witness to the petition because both petitioners had written on the same subject matter.
The respondent’s counsel, Mr Ojeah however said that he was yet to file a response because the petitioner’s written statement on oath was served on him during the sitting. He therefore prayed the panel to open the case and promised to file a response before the next adjourned date. With that, the witness was invited to the witness stand and was sworn on the Quran.
The name of the petitioner is Akeem Babatunde Akanji. He lives at (redacted) Surulere Local Government Area. He is a mechanic. He said he has a workshop located at Festac Town in Lagos. He prayed the Oyo State Judicial Panel to adopt his written statement on oath dated 20th of April, 2021 as his evidence. The petition was written because the petitioner’s house has been forcefully taken over by the respondents since 2017 without a just cause.
He said he is the first born of the family and the said house was built for his mother. The petitioner said that one of his brothers, Dauda Babatunde had gone missing and the family decided to sell his properties to build the said house for his mother.
He prayed the Oyo State Judicial Panel to ensure the release of the house as he does not know why the house was sealed in the first place.
The petitioner’s counsel, Mr Ogunjimi tendered the purchase receipt of a plot of land at Ojegun area, land agreement document, survey plan, memorandum of transfer and photographs of the sealed building before the Oyo State Judicial Panel and they were marked and admitted as exhibits.
The petitioner was cross examined by the respondent’s counsel, Mr Ojeah and members of the Oyo State Judicial Panel.
Thereafter, the petition was adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till May 19, 2021 to enable the respondent open a defence.
9. Case No. OYJPPB/094
Mr Alawode Olumide Abel v Nigeria Police, Oyo Command. The petitioner was present but chose to represent himself. Meanwhile, the respondent was represented by Mr M. A. Ojeah. The petitioner was invited to the witness stand and was sworn on the Bible.
The name of the petitioner is Alawode Olumide Abel. He lives in Odeda Local Government Area, Ogun State. He is a civil servant. He is 43 years old. He prayed the Oyo State Judicial Panel to adopt his statement on oath as his evidence. The petition was written because the petitioner was slapped by police officers and this affected his teeth. He said that one of the officers, Mr Kayode Adekija had hit him with his baton.
He prayed the Oyo State Judicial Panel for the sum of N500,000 to enable him go for dental work. With this, he tendered photographs and payment receipts before the panel and they were marked and admitted as exhibits.
The petitioner was cross examined by the respondent’s counsel, Mr Ojeah and the members of the Oyo State Judicial Panel.
With this, the petition was adjourned sine die.
Petitions for Further Hearing at the Oyo State Judicial Panel
10. Case No. OYJPPB/068
Ministry of Public Works (VIS Department) v Unknown Protesters. The petitioner was represented by Engr. James Adegbemijo Ajayi (Dir. VIS), Engr. Kikelomo Adeoye (Monatan Zonal Commander), Engr. Adegboyega Oludele (Iseyin Zonal Commander) and Engr. Aremu Olusola (Idi Ayunre Zonal Commander). The petitioner was also represented by a Chief State Counsel, K. K. Oloso-Olayiwola. The first witness was invited to the witness stand and he was sworn on the Bible.
The name of the first witness is Engr. Adegboyega Oludele. He is the Zonal Commander VIS, Iseyin. He said that one of the food vendors around the station called him on the 22nd of October, 2020 at about 9am to inform him that Iseyin Police Station had been invaded by the hoodlums. He said that the hoodlums burnt some vehicles and made away with forty-six impounded motorcycles, which were parked at the station’s premises.
He said he received a phone call at about 10am on the same day and he was informed that the hoodlums had invaded the VIS office at Iseyin. He said the hoodlums burnt the iron shed and the patrol van parked under the shed, the office and the toilet were vandalised and items such as chairs, tables, benches, motorcycles, ceiling fans were carted away.
He said he went to the office on the 23rd of October, 2020 to see the damage done to the office after which he reported the incident to his director, Engr. Ajayi James. He said two of his officers, Bankole Olusoji and Olaniyi Michael were brutally wounded.
He therefore prayed the Oyo State Judicial Panel to assist them with N18,869,000 which is the estimate cost for the loss.
With this, the witness was cross examined by the Oyo State Judicial Panel members and the second witness was invited to the witness stand. He was sworn on the Quran.
The name of the witness is Engr. Aremu Olusola. He is the Zonal Commander VIS, Idi Ayunre. He said he received a phone call at about 10am on the 19th October, 2020 and he was informed that the hoodlums had invaded the office. He said the hoodlums carted away with two impounded tricycles and one motorcycle.
He said that he went back to the office to ascertain the extent of the damage after which he wrote a report to inform his director, Engr. James Ajayi about the incident. He therefore prayed the Oyo State Judicial Panel for the sum of #1,790,000 which is the estimated cost for the loss.
The witness was cross examined by the Oyo State Judicial Panel and the third witness was invited to the witness stand. He was sworn on the Bible.
The name of the witness is Engr. James Adegbemijo Ajayi. He is the Director VIS, Ministry of Public Works and Transport. He said that he wrote a situation report to the Commissioner for Works, Oyo State through the Permanent Secretary to inform him about what had happened at the Monatan, Iseyin and Idi Ayunre zonal offices.
He said that the Permanent Secretary thereafter wrote a letter to the Secretary to the State Government to inform him about the incident. He therefore prayed the Oyo State Judicial Panel to grant the prayers as contained in the petition.
The witness was cross examined by the members of the Oyo State Judicial Panel and the petition was adjourned sine die.
Having gone through the proceedings for today, the hearing was brought to a close at about 5:45pm.