This is a report of the fifty-seventh 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, June 22, 2021.
Today’s sitting commenced at about 9:30am, 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/001
The Families of Jimoh Isiaq, Taiwo Adeoye, Ganiyu Moshood and Pelumi Olatunji v Nigeria Police Area Command, Owode, Ogbomoso. The families were represented by Jimoh Atanda, Timothy Adeoye, Ganiyu Amuda, and Mathew Esther. The families were also represented by Hussein Afolabi (Esq.), Olusegun Kofoworola (Esq.) and Kolade Orilobi (Esq.). The respondent on the other hand was represented by Mr M. A. Ojeah.
The petition was last adjourned to enable the respondent open his defence. However, Mr Ojeah, the respondent’s counsel said that he would rest his case on the evidences given by the petitioners because there was nothing in the evidence provided, that proves that the victims were killed by the officers of Owode Police Command.
In view of that, petition OYJPPB/001 was adjourned sine die.
2. Case No. OYJPPB/065
The Family of Late Waheed Olanrewaju v The DPO, Mokola Police Station. The petitioner was present and was represented by Adekola Kareem (Esq.). Meanwhile, the respondent was represented by Mr M. A. Ojeah.
The petition was last adjourned for further hearing. However, Mr Ojeah, the respondent’s counsel said that he had closed his case and the petition was adjourned at the instance of the Oyo State Judicial Panel to enable the three relevant witnesses in this case, Funmilayo Ojo, Akintunde Ifeoluwa and Oreofe Temitope, appear before the panel.
Mr Kareem, the petitioner’s counsel said that the police would not provide the witnesses because several excuses were given before the last adjourned date. He therefore prayed the Oyo State Judicial Panel for a final adjournment.
In response, the Oyo State Judicial Panel said that the petition was last adjourned to enable the witnesses appear before it because there was a need to get to the root of the matter and for the sake of justice.
The petition was therefore adjourned by till June 30, 2021 for the DPO and other relevant witnesses to appear before the Oyo State Judicial Panel.
3. Case No. OYJPPB/078
The Family of Abdul-Qudus Agbolade v The Nigeria Police, Ojoo Division. The family was represented by Agbolade Ahmed and three legal counsels, Deborah Oluyemisi Collins (Esq.), Afolake Adeoba (Esq.) and Iheoma Ipinsokan (Esq.). Meanwhile, Mr M. A. Ojeah maintained appearance on behalf of the respondent.
The petition was last adjourned to enable the respondent open a defence. However, Mr Ojeah, the respondent’s counsel said that he would rest his case on the evidence given by the petitioner as there was nothing to show that the act was committed by the police.
In view of that, petition OYJPPB/078 was adjourned sine die.
4. Case No. OYJPPB/087
Mr Adejumo Lekan Isaac v Nigeria Police, Ogbomoso Area Command. The petitioner was absent but was represented by Tomiwa Fadeyi (Esq.). Meanwhile, the respondent was represented by Mr M. A. Ojeah.
The petition was last adjourned to enable the respondent open a defence. However, Mr Ojeah, the respondent’s counsel said that he would rest his case on the evidence provided by the petitioner because the petitioner did not mention the precise name of the police officer who shot him, in the petition. He added that the petitioner only stated that the incident happened very close to the police station and that was not enough for him to gather relevant details for a defence.
With that, petition OYJPPB/087 was adjourned sine die.
5. Case No. OYJPPB/089
Pastor Ajayi Opeyemi Isaac v The Nigeria Police, Akanran Police Station. The petitioner was present and was represented by M. O. Olagunju (Esq.). Mr M. A. Ojeah appeared on behalf of the respondent.
The petition was last adjourned to enable the respondent open a defence. However, Mr Ojeah, the respondent’s counsel prayed the Oyo State Judicial Panel for an adjournment to enable him prepare for his defence. He said that he has been to Akanran and Eleyele Police Division but was yet to collate the relevant documents. He promised to get the documents ready before the next adjourned date.
Mr Olagunju, the petitioner’s counsel however pointed out that Mr Ojeah gave the same excuse at the last adjourned date. He therefore prayed the Oyo State Judicial Panel to adjourn the petition for the last time.
The petition was therefore adjourned by the Oyo State Judicial Panel till June 30, 2021 to enable the respondent open his defence unfailingly.
Petitions for Hearing at the Oyo State Judicial Panel
6. Case No. OYJPPB/019
Mr Sesan Opadotun’s Family v Commissioner of Police, Oyo State. The petitioner was absent but was represented by his mother, Mrs Olunike Opadotun and a legal counsel, Mosebolatan Oyedeji (Esq.). Meanwhile, Mr M. A. Ojeah appeared on behalf of the respondent.
The petition was last adjourned to enable Sergeant Lukman Adedigba, the suspect who shot the petitioner, appear before the Oyo State Judicial Panel. However, Miss Oyedeji, the petitioner’s counsel prayed the panel for an adjournment to enable the suspect appear before it.
She further prayed the Oyo State Judicial Panel for a summons letter which would be served on the IGP in Abuja by Citizen’s Gavel, the nongovernmental organisation she works for, to request for the appearance of the police officer.
Mrs Odutayo, a member of the Oyo State Judicial Panel however pointed out that it was agreed at the last adjourned date that a letter of summons would be issued and served on the Sergeant and his photograph and force number would be published in the papers, if he fails to appear.
The Oyo State Judicial Panel however said that it will explore the intervention of Citizen’s Gavel on the said matter before taking further actions.
With that, the petition was adjourned till June 30, 2021 for definite hearing. The Oyo State Judicial Panel ordered the petitioner’s counsel to get all the necessary documents needed for the intervention, from the secretariat.
Having gone through the proceedings for today, the hearing was brought to a close at about 10:42am.