The House of Representatives on Thursday said that it would investigate the allegations of “corruption and brutality” of citizens leveled against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARs). It said the investigation would be carried out in public interest and within the legislative duty of the House, to protect the safety, rights and dignity of Nigerians.
The House gave the assurance to Nigerians in Abuja while reacting to a position taken by the Force Headquarters that the current #EndSARScampaign was sponsored by politicians.
The Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Abdulrazak Namdas, while speaking on the issue noted that the police spokesman, Mr. Jimoh Moshood, illustrated the police’ stance by using a photograph of the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, and the lead campaigner, Mr. Segun Awosanya.
The House described the action of the police spokesman as an attempt to blackmail lawmakers and divert the attention of the public from the probe of SARS alleged atrocities.
Namdas stated that though Moshood did not specifically mention lawmakers while making his allegation by using Dogara’s photo with Awosanya for illustration, he implied that the Speaker was one of the politicians he accused of sponsoring Awosanya.
Namdas added, “It is important to note at this point that the police spokesman accuses politicians, and Speaker Dogara alone cannot be politicians. In any case, the House of Representatives and indeed the parliament happen to be the home of the highest number of politicians, especially elected officials. It is obvious that they are part of the politicians being so accused.
“As the Speaker assured the petitioners in September, the House of Representatives under his watch cannot be intimidated to abandon the investigation into these allegations of corruption and brutality against innocent citizens by SARS.”
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