37 Miners’ Death: We Can’t End Probe Without Forensic, Pathology Reports, Panel Tells FG

The independent committee investigating the death of 37 miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State has asked the federal government for an additional two weeks to complete its assignment.

The panel said it cannot conclude its work without reviewing pending forensic and pathology reports.

The committee, chaired by retired deputy director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), Jonathan Kure, said the additional time was necessary to properly integrate and review the large volume of testimonies, documentary materials, and forensic evidence gathered during the investigation.

Kure said the panel had made appreciable progress since its inauguration, but was yet to conclude its assignment because some crucial evidence, including pathology and forensic reports needed to establish the circumstances and cause of death, were still being awaited.

The chairman said the committee had therefore formally requested an extension of its original 7th October deadline to 21st October.

Kure said, “Give us more time. We can’t conclude without reviewing the forensic and pathology results.”
The additional two weeks would allow us to complete a thorough and credible investigation.”

According to him, the request was not an attempt to delay the submission of the report but a necessary step to ensure that the committee’s conclusions and recommendations were based on all available evidence.

“We don’t want to be pre-emptive,” Kure said, explaining that the panel was determined to complete its assignment in a manner that would withstand scrutiny and command public confidence.

He acknowledged the cooperation of all parties involved in the investigation, adding that the panel had made “appreciable progress” in the course of its assignment.

He listed some of the steps taken by the panel, including the inspection of the custody facility where the affected persons were held, the conduct of autopsies, and the taking of evidence from eyewitnesses.

The committee, he added, had also obtained testimonies from NSCDC personnel, the suspended officers connected with the incident, survivors and bereaved families.

Beyond oral evidence, Kure said the panel had collected documentary and forensic materials which were now being subjected to detailed examination.

He explained that the large volume of testimonies and documentary evidence had made meticulous review and collation necessary before the committee could reach its final conclusions.

“The committee has made appreciable progress, including the inspection of the custody facility, conducting autopsies, taking eyewitness accounts from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the suspended personnel, survivors and bereaved families, as well as collecting documentary and forensic evidence,” he said.

“However, we are yet to conclude the assignment because of the large number of testimonies and documentary evidence requiring meticulous review and collation.”

Providing insight into some of the issues that have emerged from the investigation, Kure said the panel had identified institutional gaps within the NSCDC, alongside concerns about professionalism and what it described as overzealousness in handling the incident.

He said the findings had also underscored the need for improved training and professionalism among personnel, stressing that the issues identified would be properly examined before the committee makes its final recommendations.

Kure, however, cautioned against interpreting the issues raised by the investigation as final findings, saying the panel was still reviewing the evidence and would give all persons implicated in the incident, including the suspended officers, an opportunity to respond.

The chairman said another critical reason for the extension was the need to obtain and examine pending forensic and pathology reports, which he said were essential to establishing the circumstances and cause of death.

He said the committee also needed to give every person implicated in the incident an opportunity to respond to the issues arising from the investigation.

Kure stressed that the panel did not want to reach conclusions without giving all relevant parties a fair opportunity to present their positions.

He said this was necessary to ensure that the eventual findings and recommendations were defensible, credible and capable of withstanding scrutiny.

The chairman said the committee’s approach was intended to ensure that its final report would not only answer questions surrounding the deaths but would also command public confidence.

He explained that the panel was examining evidence from multiple sources and would have to reconcile the different accounts before making its final recommendations.

“At this point, the committee’s work has consequently moved beyond the collection of testimonies to the painstaking process of analysing and collating the evidence already gathered.

Kure said the panel’s engagement with survivors, bereaved families, NSCDC personnel, suspended officers and other persons connected with the incident was part of the effort to establish a complete picture of what happened.

“The inspection of the custody facility and the autopsies conducted on the deceased have also formed part of the investigation, while documentary and forensic materials are being reviewed.

“The committee is now awaiting outstanding pathology and forensic results, which it considers important to the completion of our assignment.”

He added, “Rushing the process without the outstanding forensic and pathology evidence could undermine the credibility of the findings.”

Kure said, “We have requested an extension of time of two weeks, that is, from the initial submission date of 7 October to 21 October, to enable us to conclude our integration and submit a thorough and credible work.”

Recall that the federal government had, on 22 September, inaugurated the 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 people detained by the NSCDC in Niger State over suspected illegal mining.

Judicial Commission of Inquiry on 37 Miners’ Death Relaxes Rules To Avoid Technicalities

The chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the 37 miners’ death set up by the Niger state government, Justice Mohammed Mohammed, has disclosed that proceedings will operate under simplified and non-technical procedures

She said the proceedings were designed to encourage maximum public participation and ensure a transparent, fact-finding process. While addressing the bar, petitioners, and the public at the Inaugural Sitting yesterday in Minna

The Commission Chairman, therefore, urged all parties and legal representatives to cooperate with these streamlined procedures to facilitate a fair and timely outcome.

She emphasised that its proceedings would not be constrained by the strict technicalities often present in regular courtroom trials. Instead, the commission will follow a straightforward and accessible approach to gather facts effectively.

Some of the guidelines listed included Submission of Memoranda and Supporting Evidence: Petitioners and victims, while members of the public are encouraged to submit detailed written memoranda (or pleadings). Submissions may be accompanied by supporting materials, including photographs and relevant documentary evidence, to assist the panel in its evaluation.

While individuals have the right to write and submit petitions directly, the Commission recommended that they use legal counsel to clearly articulate the facts.

Similarly, to streamline proceedings, the commission permitted lawyers to submit written statements on behalf of their clients, thereby avoiding lengthy oral presentations.

The commission is expected to develop actionable recommendations to ensure justice for the victims.

Minna Miners: NBA Seeks Measures to Prevent Avoidable Deaths, Abuses in Detention Facilities

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said measures should be put in place to tackle “avoidable deaths” in detention facilities across the country.

The association, speaking on the death of 37 miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, harped on the need to ensure that detention facilities operate in accordance with Nigerian law and internationally recognised human rights standards.

The Chairman, NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), Dr Uju Agomoh, while chatting with journalists, Tuesday, on the forthcoming annual conference of the NBA-SPIDEL, with the Theme: “In Public Interest: Advancing Justice, Democracy and Development”, said Nigerian lives should be protected, even in custody.

The conference scheduled for November 10-13 in Abia State is expected to host leading Nigerian and international voices from the judiciary, legal profession, government, civil society, academia, development institutions, and the security and justice sectors.

Dr. Agomoh stated that the conference will examine some of the most pressing issues affecting justice, democracy and development in Nigeria.

“The conference will therefore interrogate the structural and institutional barriers that continue to impede access to justice, including delays in the administration of justice, inadequate legal representation, weaknesses in justice-sector institutions and the difficulties faced by vulnerable and marginalised populations.

“We will explore practical strategies for strengthening legal aid, promoting alternative and non-custodial measures, improving detention oversight and ensuring that the justice system remains responsive to the needs of ordinary Nigerians.

“In particular, NBA-SPIDEL will continue to draw attention to the urgent need to prevent avoidable deaths and abuses in places of detention and to ensure that detention facilities operate in accordance with Nigerian law and internationally recognised human rights standards”, the NBA-SPIDEL chair said.

Meanwhile, Agomoh pointed out that no democracy survives on elections alone without strong institutions, respect for the rule of law, accountability, transparency, independent oversight and an informed and engaged citizenry.

To this end, she disclosed that the conference will provide an opportunity to examine lawyers’ roles in strengthening democratic institutions and defending constitutional governance.

“We will also address corruption and illicit financial flows, including the financing of terrorism, and consider how legal and institutional mechanisms can be strengthened to protect public resources and national security without compromising human rights and due process.

“Economic growth that leaves significant sections of society behind cannot constitute sustainable development. The rule of law, responsible governance, effective institutions and access to justice are essential foundations for national development”, she added.

Agomoh, who observed that meaningful reform cannot be achieved by lawyers alone, sought partnerships with judges, government institutions, justice-sector agencies, civil society organisations, academia, development partners, the media and citizens.

“We are not gathering in Umuahia merely to discuss problems. We are gathering to identify solutions, responsibilities and pathways for action.

“We want the conversations at this conference to translate into concrete commitments and sustained engagement beyond the conference hall.

“The media has a critical role in strengthening democracy and promoting public accountability.

“We therefore invite the Nigerian media to partner with NBA-SPIDEL in ensuring that the issues raised at this conference reach the wider public.

“We encourage journalists and media organisations to engage critically with the conversations, interrogate the proposals that emerge and help sustain public attention on the reforms necessary to strengthen our justice and democratic institutions”, she added.