Maduako Igbokwe l Friday, October 16, 2020
ONITSHA, Anambra, Nigeria – Governor of Anambra State , Chief Willie Obiano has bowed to the demand of the state youths protesting for the prosecution and termination of the appointment of his Senior Special Adviser on Security, Mr James Nwafor in the state.
Nwafor was formerly the commander of SARS in Anambra and had severally been accused of killing and maiming many youths in the state.
Mr Willie Obiano after sacking Mr Nwafor on Thursday set up a broad-based panel to look into reports of abuse of human rights by the defunct SARS in the state over the years.
The protesters had on Wednesday blocked the Anambra State government house and the Enugu-Onitsha expressway, insisting that Obiano must address them, but they were not addressed forcing the youths hold vigil late into the night.
But addressing the protesters on Thursday at the government house, Obiano said he would take their demands to President Muhammadu Buhari, while also fulfilling the ones within his power.
“I am very happy with the way you have conducted yourselves. You have conducted yourself creditably. I have a list of all your demands. Some of them have already been met, like the SARS being disbanded.
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“That has already been met, and some are still in the pipeline which I am going to present to the president. The other ones are the ones I can handle myself.
“Your first request is immediate prosecution and removal of James Nwafor, the immediate release of all protesters in police custody, that will be done.
“As for compensation of the family of SARS victims, the Attorney General and the leadership of police will look into this and make recommendations to me.
“I support your protest, police brutality and extortion is not allowed anywhere. Any Police that does that, quietly copy his name and let us know,” Obiano said.
The protesters who were happy about the governor’s pronouncements also marched to the popular Aroma Junction where they blocked the expressway, denying motorists access to the road.
As at the time of filing this report, the protesters were still at the junction and all roads in and out of the area remained blocked. End SARS protesters ground Awka, demand prosecution of ex-SARS boss, Nwafor
The panel is empowered to look specifically into all allegations against the former SARS commander in the state
The governor setup the panel on Thursday after discussion with a large number of Nigerian youths on the state of the nation, with particular attention to the experience of young people at the hands of security agents.
He expressed dismay over reports of inhuman treatment to the youth by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force in the state.
He also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for disbanding SARS in accordance with the wishes of Nigerian youths and also for acceding to their four requests for a better police force.
“To create a more humane social order in Anambra State, Governor Obiano has decided to set up a broad-based panel to look into reports of abuse of human rights by the defunct SARS in the state over the years”, he said.
The panel is headed by The Hon Justice V. N, Umeh, (retired) and the panel is expected to complete its job within 30 days.
Members are a representative of the Association of Anambra State Students;Three youth leaders from the three senatorial zones in the state; member of the National Youth Service Corps in the state; Anambra State chairman, Civil Liberties Organisation; Chairman, Anambra Civil Society Network.
Others include Chairman of the Youth Council of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter; A representative of the Youth Wing of the Ohaneze NdIgbo, Anambra State;Chairman of the Youth Wing of the Anambra Town Unions (ASATU); Chairman of the Christian Association, Anambra State; A nominee of the Archbishop of the Anglican Province of the Niger;A nominee of the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha;A representative of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Anambra State; a representative of the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council; The Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice; The Commissioner for Youth & Creative Economy.
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The two youngest members of the State Executive Council and The Special Adviser to the Governor on Creative Security.
The panel term of reference include to look, in particular, into allegations of extrajudicial killings by a former head of the SARS office in the state, Chief Superintendent of Police James Nwafor (retired), whose appointment as a Special Assistant to the Governor has since been terminated.
According to obiano he will face prosecution if found guilty of any of the alleged offences against him.
The Governor Obiano also directed the Commissioner of Police to review all detentions in not just the SARS facilities in the state but also in all police formations to ensure that the freedoms and dignity of all citizens are upheld at all times.
