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While we await the work of the new #EndSARS 
judicial panels that have been set up by some state govts, I think this is a good time for us Nigerians to review similar judicial panels and commissions of inquiry in the past - and see if we can spot any pattern.
Knowledge is power.
judicial panels that have been set up by some state govts, I think this is a good time for us Nigerians to review similar judicial panels and commissions of inquiry in the past - and see if we can spot any pattern.Knowledge is power.
1999 - Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (Oputa Panel). Set up to investigate the causes, nature and extent of human rights abuses between 1966 and 1999, identify perpetrators, redress injustices, and prevent future violations’.
Report submitted. No action taken.
Report submitted. No action taken.
2001 - Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Zaki Biam massacre where up to 200 people in Zaki Biam, Benue State were killed by soldiers.
Report submitted. No action taken on the panel's report. Nobody was held accountable.
Report submitted. No action taken on the panel's report. Nobody was held accountable.
2006 - Justice Olasumbo Goodluck Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the Apo Six killings by the police in Abuja.
Report submitted indicting a senior officer and some junior officers. Five of the junior officers were charged, two were convicted. The senior officer was promoted.
Report submitted indicting a senior officer and some junior officers. Five of the junior officers were charged, two were convicted. The senior officer was promoted.
2008 - A court ordered the Inspector General of Police to investigate former president Olusegun Obasanjo to determine his role in the November 1999 military attack on the village of Odi that killed up to 2500 Nigerians.
Court order ignored by the IGP. No action taken
Court order ignored by the IGP. No action taken
2008 – Plateau State Prince Bola Ajibola Commission of Inquiry on the series of ethnic and religious crisis in Jos in November 2008.
Report submitted indicting some political actors in the crisis. No action taken.
Report submitted indicting some political actors in the crisis. No action taken.
2009 – Dike Committee to “investigate the circumstances leading to the alleged killing of the leader of Boko Haram and killing of over 17 police officers”
Report noted a “festering systemic dysfunction” that would increase the Boko Haram crisis. Recommendations not implemented.
Report noted a “festering systemic dysfunction” that would increase the Boko Haram crisis. Recommendations not implemented.
2009 – Borno State Committee to investigate into the July 2009 Boko Haram crisis including to ‘assess damages, look into area of compensation and make recommendations to the government’.
Report submitted. No action taken.
Report submitted. No action taken.
2010 - Solomon Lar Presidential Advisory Committee on the January 2010 Jos Crisis.
Report submitted. No action taken.
Report submitted. No action taken.
2011 - Presidential Committee on the Security Challenges in the North-East Zone of Nigeria.
Report submitted. Recommendations included probing some politicians and the Joint Task Force for their roles, and court martial soldiers for human rights violations. No action taken.
Report submitted. Recommendations included probing some politicians and the Joint Task Force for their roles, and court martial soldiers for human rights violations. No action taken.
2013 - NHRC investigation into the killings in Baga.
Report noted the "persistent and credibly attested allegations of indiscriminate disposal of dead human remains by personnel of both the JTF and the Borno State Environmental Protection Agency". No action taken
Report noted the "persistent and credibly attested allegations of indiscriminate disposal of dead human remains by personnel of both the JTF and the Borno State Environmental Protection Agency". No action taken
2014 - Panel of Inquiry to Investigate the circumstances surrounding the allegation of extra-judicial killings and mass arrest by the Nigerian military in Operation Zaman Lafiya Areas of Responsibility.
Report submitted. No action taken. Nobody held accountable.
Report submitted. No action taken. Nobody held accountable.
2016 - Kaduna State Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the Shiite massacre.
Report submitted and blamed the IMN for the massacre. Some action taken – Islamic Movement of Nigeria banned. Nobody held accountable for the killings.
Report submitted and blamed the IMN for the massacre. Some action taken – Islamic Movement of Nigeria banned. Nobody held accountable for the killings.
2017 – Chief of Army Staff Special Board of Inquiry into allegations of human rights violations perpetrated by members of the Nigerian military. (This one is a joke because a perpetrator shouldn’t investigate itself).
Report submitted recommending some fixes. No action taken
Report submitted recommending some fixes. No action taken
2017 - Presidential Investigation Panel to review compliance of the Armed Forces with human rights obligations and rules of engagement.
Report submitted but not publicly available. No known action taken.
Report submitted but not publicly available. No known action taken.
2017 - Rann IDP camp bombing investigation.
Report concluded that “people were not expected to amass at that location” and that “it appeared as a place that could equally be used for enemy activities”. Victim blamed. Nobody held accountable.
Report concluded that “people were not expected to amass at that location” and that “it appeared as a place that could equally be used for enemy activities”. Victim blamed. Nobody held accountable.
This pattern of impunity is why I am a critic and not a believer. I hope things will be different this time and we will see accountability, but I am not going to hold my breath on the outcome of these panels of inquiry on SARS, and especially on the #LekkiMassaccre.
