…NHRC assures of commitment to ending torture, related crimes
The Federal Government has commended the review of the Anti-Torture Act 2017 to address identified inherent defects to ensure effectiveness in efforts to end immunity and related crimes.
The Solicitor General of the Federation (SG-F) and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday.
Mrs. Jedy-Agba, who expressed concern about the impact on citizens in confinement, said her ministry was working on other measures to end the practice of torture in the country.
Represented by Mrs. Gladys Adegbaro, an official of the ministry, Mrs. Jedy-Agba spoke at an event to mark the 2025 International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, with the theme: “Justice and Dignity for All: Combating Torture Through Accountability and Reform.”
The event, organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice (FMJ), brought together key stakeholders, drawn from security agencies, civil society and development partners.
Mrs. Jedy-Agba added that her ministry, through the Committee Against Torture in Nigeria (CAT-N), has concluded work on the Implementing Regulations for the Anti-Torture Act, 2017 an essential legal instrument designed to close operational gaps and bolster enforcement mechanisms.
She explained that the regulations outline procedures for prosecuting offenders, ensuring access to medical examination, and providing rehabilitation for survivors.
Mrs. Jedy-Agba said the document is currently undergoing gazetting to give it legal effect.
She added: “The crime of torture is one that affects us all as a society, and requires collaborative efforts to, not only disabuse public officials from its use, but to discourage the practice, which appears to have become an abhorrent culture in our places of detention.
“Every human deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. The use of torture is a criminal offence and prohibited in all circumstances.
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“All stakeholders, both in the public and private sectors must speak with one voice against the perpetrators of torture, and for all who suffer at their hands, in order to build a better, more humane society for all people everywhere,” Mrs. Jedy-Agba said.
The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu (SAN) assured of his agency’s commitment to championing the anti-torture campaign.
Represented by Dr. Ben Agu, Ojukwu said preventing torture was not only about enacting laws, it is a moral imperative.
He added: “It requires consistent political will, strengthened oversight mechanisms, proper training of security and Law Enforcement Agencies, and the empowerment of victims fhrough legal, social, humanitarian and medical services.
“At the National Human Rights Commission, we remain committed to our mandate to promote, protect, and enforce the human rights of everyone, including all who have suffered grievous human rights violations/abuses with regards to torture.
“The NHRC continues to monitor and document cases of torture, provide avenues for victims to seek justice, and engage in advocacy and capacity-building initiatives to sensitize stakeholders and the public that there are no excuses for torture,” Ojukwu said.