At 2024 International Human Rights Day, Nigerians Decry State of Nation Under APC

•PSC seeks review of obsolete laws

Michael Olugbode, Linus Aleke in Abuja, Wale Igbintade in Lagos,  and Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Nigerians from different walks of life and groups of diverse philosophy, yesterday, while celebrating the international human rights day, decried the state of rights of citizens under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

A retired Federal High Court judge, Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo (Rtd), expressed grave concern over the worsening state of human rights in Nigeria, asserting that the situation has deteriorated more under democratic governance than it did under military rule.

Speaking yesterday at the Human Rights Day Conference organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos branch, with the theme “Human Rights in Crisis: Addressing the Challenges Facing Nigeria,” Justice Taiwo lamented that despite the transition to democracy, the fundamental rights of Nigerians continued to be disregarded.

“It is very sad to note that historically, human rights have suffered more under democracy than under military rule. While some may disagree with this view, I ask: what has truly changed?” he said.

He, however, highlighted the challenges that the country faced in upholding the fundamental rights of its citizens, citing concerns about the role of the courts, law enforcement, and the government.

In his remarks, an activist and former political detainee, Senator Shehu Sani, reflected on Nigeria’s human rights landscape, drawing comparisons between the struggles during military rule and those faced under the current democratic government.

Sani’s speech highlighted the ongoing challenges Nigerians face regarding freedom of expression, security, and justice, adding that violations were more pervasive now than they were during military rule.

He recounted his personal experiences as an activist during the military era, sharing harrowing tales of imprisonment and the resilience of those who stood up against the oppressive regime.

“Many of us were arrested, many were sentenced to long prison terms, some of us never made it out alive,” he said, emphasising the sacrifice made by human rights defenders of the past.

Mr. Ahmed Raji, SAN stated that the major challenge facing Nigerians today was hunger, adding that poverty has taken firm root in the country to the extent that the middle class has almost disappeared.

According to him, with acute poverty, most Nigerians neither recognised their human rights nor had the means to enforce them.

Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch, Olabisi Makanjuola, underscored the importance of the event as a platform for reaffirming the collective commitment to human rights amidst the challenges currently facing Nigeria.

Makanjuola described human rights as foundational to dignity, equality, and freedom, stressing that these rights were increasingly under threat from various crises, including insecurity, economic inequality, and human rights abuses such as arbitrary detentions and suppression of free speech.

PSC Seeks Review of Obsolete Laws

The Police Service Commission (PSC), has called for the urgent review of obsolete laws to brace up with gathering and preservation of electronic evidence in court.

The Commission also called for innovation and proper use of electronic evidence and other modern devices in the nation’s legal system.

Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu, said violation of human rights has taken a new dimension in 21st century, stressing that the key challenges and threats were mostly the current passive and obsolete criminal justice system and lack of rebalanced criminal justice system.

A statement by Head Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, said the Chairman spoke at the International Human Rights Day 2024 with theme: “Our Rights, Our Future, Right now: All Humans are born free and equal in Dignity and Rights” which held at the Nigerian Bar Association  National Secretariat  Auditorium, Central Business District, Abuja.

Group Wants Army to Release Okuama Detainees

Two groups, Value Rebirth and Empower Initiative as well as Ewu Development Forum, have pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prevail on the military authorities to release six indigenes of Okuama Community, who had been in detention for the past 113 days.

The detainees were apprehended and kept in custody in the wake of Okuama crisis, where 17 officers and soldiers were killed.

Executive Director, Value Rebirth & Empower Initiative, Pastor Edewor Egedegbe and Sir John Ebireri, Director, Public Relations, Ewu Clan Development Forum, made the plea yesterday while addressing journalists in Warri to mark World Human Rights Day 2024.

Pastor Egedegbe said in commemoration of Human Rights Day 2024, they were expressing their concerns over the prolong detention of Prof. Arthur Ekpokpo, Hon. Belvis Adogbo, Mr. Dennis Okugbaye, Mr. Dennis Amalaka, Owhemu Mabel and Mr. James Oghorokor who allegedly died in detention without any charge brought against them.

“These individuals have been in detention for over 113 days without any charge brought against them. We believe this is a clear violation of their fundamental human rights as guaranteed in the 1999 Constitution as amended. Their detention is a breach of the principles of democracy and the rule of law,” he lamented.

NHRC Officials March in Abuja

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), yesterday, marched on the street of Abuja, to call attention for the respect of human rights in the country and support for the Human Rights Fund, which remained unfunded till date.

Leading the road campaign from the Eagle Square in Central Area to the National headquarters of the National Human Rights Commission on Aguiyi Ironsi Way, Maitama were the Chairman and the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Salamatu Suleiman and Dr Tony Ojukwu.

The road walk which was jointly organised by the NHRC and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC), funded by the European Union and implemented by International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), had the marchers carrying placards with inscriptions to promote the need for respect of human rights of Nigerians.

The placards inscriptions included: “Stand for equality, fight for humanity’, ‘human rights are universal rights. Let’s protect them’, ‘Human rights know no boundaries’, ‘Break the chains of inequality, advance human rights’, among others.

Speaking to journalists after the march  which was an awareness walk to commemorate the International Human Rights Day with the theme: “Equality – Reducing inequalities and advancing hunan rights,” the Executive Secretary of NHRC, urged Nigerians to contribute to the promotion of human rights by donating resources.

On her part, the Chairman, Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Salamatu Suleiman, said commemoration of human rights day should not be confined to one day but celebrated everyday.