Femi Falana (SAN), a human rights lawyer and leader of the Alliance for Survival of COVID-19 and Beyond, ASCAB, has downplayed the recent ban on activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
Bibian Anekwe News recalls that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Adamu Mohammed, had on Sunday banned SARS from patrol, checking of phones, the unauthorized search of citizens, amongst others.
Reacting in a statement signed by Falana, the ASCAB accused the present administration of not being sincere with the ban on SARS.
“The police high command has banned SARS several times. It has become a ritual. But SARS continues to operate under different names or structure. What we see is like removing sour wine and putting it in the same old, rusty bottles. Nothing remarkable has changed in the police command structure that aids all forms of repression and extra-judicial killings.
“The Inspector-General of Police and the Solicitor-General of theFederation/Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice were mandated to engage the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, for a strategy of implementation within three months.
“To declare a ban on SARS again is nothing but policy somersault. It does not show effective leadership neither does it portray the police authority as consistent,” ASCAB said.
