This is a report of the fifth 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, February 3, 2021.
Today’s public sitting commenced at about 9:03am right after it was declared open by Hon Justice Badejoko Adeniji.
Cases at the Oyo State Judicial Panel
1. Case No. OYJPPB/009
Barr. Babatunde Lawal v Inspector-General of Police and five others. The petitioner was present at the sitting and he was represented by Afolabi Ariyo (Esq.), D. O. Odumo and G. N. Kalu. CSP Funke Fawole appeared as the representative of the respondent.
The petition was adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till March 4, 2021 for mention.
2. Case No. OYJPPB/041
Umoru Adamu v The Nigeria Police, Saki Area Command. The petitioner was absent and there was no legal representative on his behalf at the sitting. CSP Funke Fawole appeared on behalf of the respondent. She agreed she had been served with the processes but was yet to respond as at the time of the sitting.
Subject to the convenience of the Oyo State Judicial Panel, the petition was adjourned till March 4, 2021 for mention to enable the respondent respond to the petition and to issue a fresh hearing notice to the petitioner.
3. Case No. OYJPPB/042
Pastor Ayekunle Ayeleke Idowu v Commissioner of Police, Lagos State. The petitioner was present at the sitting. CSP Funke Fawole held the brief for the Lagos State Police Command but she prayed the Oyo State Judicial Panel to serve the necessary processes on the O. C. Legal alongside the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.
Therefore, the petition was adjourned till March 4, 2021 for mention and to serve the processes of the petition on the Lagos State Police Command.
4. Case No. OYJPPB/043
Afolabi Ayodamope v The Nigeria Police Force. The petitioner was present and also represented by Abdulganiu Suleiman (Esq.). CSP Funke Fawole appeared on behalf of the respondent.
The petition was adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till March 9, 2021 for mention to enable the respondent respond to the petition.
5. Case No. OYJPPB/044
Mr Kunle Ajayi v The Nigeria Police, Bodija, Ibadan. The petitioner was present at the sitting but he was advised to obtain the pro bono services of a lawyer. The respondent was represented by CSP Funke Fawole and Mr O. J. Matthew.
The petition was adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till March 4, 2021 for mention to enable the petitioner obtain the services of a pro bono lawyer, and to allow the respondent respond to the petition.
6. Case No. OYJPPB/045
Daodu Ayoniyi Edward v The Nigeria Police, Iyaganku. The petitioner was absent and not represented by a lawyer. CSP Funke Fawole and Mr O. J. Matthew appeared on behalf of the respondent.
Subject to the convenience of the Oyo State Judicial Panel, the petition was adjourned till March 4, 2021 for mention so as to enable the respondent respond to the petition and to also issue a fresh hearing notice to the petitioner.
7. Case No. OYJPPB/046
Adeyemi Adeniran v The Nigeria Police, Akobo. The petitioner was absent with no legal representation. CSP Funke Fawole and Mr O. J. Matthew represented the respondent. CSP Funke Fawole agreed she had been served the processes earlier before the sitting.
Therefore, the petition was adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till March 4, 2021 for mention to enable the respondent respond to the petition, and to issue a fresh hearing notice to the petitioner.
8. Case No. OYJPPB/047
Adeola Isiaka Adeniyi v The Nigeria Police, Iyaganku Division. The petitioner was present and represented by D. O. Sadiq. The respondent was represented by CSP Funke Fawole and Mr O. J. Matthew.
With the approval of both parties, the petition was adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till March 4, 2021 for mention to enable the respondent respond to the petition.
9. Case No. OYJPPB/048
Mr Ajao Olumide v The Nigeria Police Area Command, Ogbomoso. The petitioner was present and represented by Toluwase S. O. Ogundeji. While, CSP Funke Fawole and Mr O. J. Matthew appeared on behalf of the respondent.
With the approval of both parties, the petition was adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till March 9, 2021 for mention to enable the respondent respond to the petition.
10. Case No. OYJPPB/049
Adebowale Akinrinade v The Nigeria Police, Gbagi Division. The petitioner was absent and there was no legal representative on his behalf. CSP Funke Fawole and Mr O. J. Matthew appeared on behalf of the respondent.
The petition was adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till March 9, 2021 for mention to enable the respondent respond to the petition and to also issue a fresh hearing notice to the petitioner.
11. OYJPPB/050
Micheal Onaghise v The Nigeria Police, Oyo State. The petitioner was present at the sitting. CSP Funke Fawole maintained appearance on behalf of the respondent.
The petition was adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till March 9, 2021 for mention to enable the petitioner obtain the services of a pro bono counsel and to enable the respondent respond to the petition.
Petition for Hearing at the Oyo State Judicial Panel
1. OYJPPB/021
Chief Tunde Mustapha v Unknown Hoodlums. The petitioner was absent and there was no legal representative on his behalf. However, the legal counsel to the Oyo State Judicial Panel stated that the petitioner, who is about 90 years old, sent someone earlier before the sitting to inform the panel that the petitioner is indisposed at the moment, and won’t be able to appear before the panel. The petition was therefore adjourned till February 11, 2021 for definite hearing.
Right before wrapping up, Hon Justice Adeniji urged the media professionals present at the sitting, to uphold the ethics of the job in their various reportage. With this, today’s sitting was brought to a close at about 10:30am.