The Chairman, Judicial Commission of inquiry into Police brutality in Adamawa, retired Justice Adamu Hobon has urged Journalists to avoid sensational reporting, as the commission commence public sitting Tuesday at the board room Universal Basic Education Board Yola.
Hobon who made the plea while addressing members of the commission and journalists to formally start receiving complaints from the general public since they were sworn-in on 22nd October, 2020 and has six months to complete the assignment.
“We urge the media for true reports of what transpires in the commission only and not less. Many times world over people go to war because of sensational reports and many times wars are settled and people at war lay down arms because of positive reports from the media.
“In this country we have seen where the media certified a living person dead and certified a dead person living. In this peculiar fragile nature of our communities where everybody is already at economic war with himself, literacy level is low, and religious sentiment is high, and people are just waiting for little mistakes for them to take undue advantage of such things that cause havoc.
“On behalf of this commission plead with you and urge you, jointly and severally to please cooperate with this commission and avoid sensational reporting on this unfortunate situation we find ourselves.” He said.
Hobon urged those affected directly or indirectly to cooperate with the commission by appearing to testify based on their personal knowledge.
He assured that the commission will do justice and fairness to everybody without intimidation, and warned that the commission any person who threatens, insults or injures any persons for giving evidence before the commission can be convicted for such conduct.
“False evidence before the commission upon oath shall be guilty of offence and liable on conviction.
“Insults or threats offered to the Commission members while sitting or on account of their proceedings is an offence”. Hobon added.
There were goodwill messages from the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Barr Afraimu Jingi and State Chairman Nigeria Bar Association, Barr Jibril Jimeta.
