Police Brutality: Osun Govt Reveals Identities Of JTF Officers Who Chased Youths To Death In Osogbo

Security personnel in the Joint Task Force (JTF) vehicle that allegedly chased and killed teenagers in Osun some months ago has been revealed by the Criminal Investigation Department.
The officers as made public are, Ejigbo Audu (NPF); Benjamin Ogunsesan (NPF); Jekayinfa Olutosin (NSCDC); Raji Adewale (SSS) and Hammed Yusuf (NAF).

Parents of the boys allegedly chased to death by a team of security personnel have lauded Osun Government for endorsing the report of the Criminal Investigation Department and revealing the names and other identities of the alleged officers involved in the murder of Idris Ajibola and his friends.

The parents made the commendation at the resumed hearing of the Osun Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality Human Rights Violations and Related Extra Judicial Killings on Thursday.

The parents said the revelation of the identities of the alleged erring officers by the government through the Criminal Investigation Department was an indication that the government is a lover of justice and a clear justification of their request for the payment of a sum of N5billion as compensation.

This is even as the Counsel for the petitioners, Barrister Kanmi Ajibola, after the presentation of his final written address for adoption, lauded the panel’s formation and expressed confidence in its ability to dispense justice.

The names of the officers were made public for proper disciplinary actions in their respective Commands.

The late Idris Ajibola alongside his friends were on 15th December, 2020 allegedly chased, leading to the subsequent death of the deceased by a team of security personnel.

While presenting his final written address in the case to the panel, the petitioners’ counsel, Barrister Kanmi Ajibola, argued that the alleged unlawful act perpetrated by the subjects of the Respondent by chasing the late Idris Ajibola to death, causing his parents an irreparable loss, was contrary to Paragraph 33 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

In his submission, he said the Constitution provides that, “Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria.”

He submitted that his clients were entitled to compensation as enshrined in Section 35 (6) of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that, “Any person who is unlawfully arrested or detained shall be entitled to compensation and public apology from the appropriate authority or person.”

He extolled Osun government for not sweeping the case under carpet after the names of the officers were made known by the Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigeria Police Force assigned to investigate the matter.