Tag: CRIVIFON

The Crime Victims Foundation (CRIVIFON) has inaugurated new members into the Human Rights Children Club, to create and protect the rights of the children in Ajeromi Ifelodun area of Lagos State.

The new inductees were drawn from  schools in the area including Delight International School,  Rolex Schools/Highstone College, Caro Favoured Schools, Dorcass Memorial School, El-Leonara, Victory Progressive International School and God’s Will Redeemer Secondary School.

The inauguration was organised by CRIVIFON in collaboration with Human Rights Education and Awareness Centre (HUREAC) with the theme: “Human Rights Awareness in Ajeromi Ifelodun and the Graduation of Civilian/Inauguration of Human Rights Children Club.

Executive Director of CRIVIFON, Dr. (Mrs) Gloria Egbuji in her address told the inductees that they are the future of the country and should be ready to speak up for what is right, and help build a kinder and safer world for everyone around them.

Mrs Egbuji also admonished them to learn and know what constitute rights stressing, “learning about your right makes you more powerful and more responsible to the society.

“You must respect others and all that is right. You must help your friends and families, and understand that every child deserves love, peace and fairness. Never forget you are the future of our country”, she said.

Mrs Egbuji remarked that one of the things the foundation is doing is to spread knowledge amongst the down trodden, pointing out that for them to get  access to justice, they must first know what justice is, in order to be able to demand for it

“So, this is why  we are trying to spread knowledge among the down trodden, not at the top but amongst the less privileged because there is no access to justice for the down trodding.

“How do you get access to justice, when you don’t even know what justice is, when you don’t know what the right is, when you don’t know what  right to demand..

“So, our foundation has taken it upon itself  to take knowledge and awareness down to the grassroots. So, congratulations to each one of you, the graduates coming from these units.

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“You have learned something very important, your rights as human beings. You now know that it is your right to be safe, to be heard, to go to school, to live free from fear, and to dream big dreams”, she said

Launching the young people’s Human Rights Club, Mrs Egbuji encouraged the youth to always ask questions, speak up peacefully, and help others learn too in order to shine as young human rights champions.

The CRIVIFON Executive Director disclosed that the foundation has trained over 45,000 police officers across board.

“In almost all the divisions in Lagos State numbering  over 100,  we have at least six or 10 people trained on human rights.

“We have moved beyond Lagos, we have gone to Imo State, Anambra State, other states, Akwa Ibom. Enugu State and so many other states, and we are still moving forward”, she said.

She said they  are training them in order to ensure that “Police don’t take your rights from you.  When the policeman does not know the rights  to give to you, they will not give in to you.

“That’s why they don’t allow you to bail  yourself without money. They will not allow you to speak at the police station, you have the rights to do so.You don’t have to give police money to be bailed  because it’s in the Constitution, but because we don’t know, they would keep on  holding you to ransom.

“Bail  is free and that is a fact and that is a fact. It is in the Constitution.

“But how are you going to demand that  bail is free if you don’t know that you have that rights?

You have the right to silence when you are in police station. You don’t need to talk if you don’t want to talk and cannot  force you to make statement that you don’t want to make.

 “When I train them I ask them, there is a word of caution they were supposed to explain  to you before you write statement, You are not supposed to say anything unless you wish to do so.

So we had to enlighten them, to let them know they don’t have the right to force you to write statement.

“So after teaching them that and  you go there and you don’t know your rights, how are you going to be able to ask for your rights? That is one of the reasons we want to educate people about their rights”, she said.

The Chairman of the event who also doubled as a guest speaker, Mr, Gbakumor Agbeotu argued that a better country would be created if the government and citizens adhere strictly to and imbibe the tenets of human rights, and the rights of the child inclusive, by placing pre-eminent value on them.

Agbotu listed fundamental rights to be given value by citizens  for a better Nigeria to include those listed in sections 33 to 45 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)  and as enshrined in Chapter IV of the   African Charter on Human.

He posited that upholding human rights value underscores the fact that the inherent dignity and value of every individual  must be recognized, ensuring fair and just treatment and fostering a society where every citizens can flourish and prosper.

“it entails promoting principle s like equality, non-discrimination on tribal, language and religious differences and the fulfillment of basic needs such as health, education and a safe environment among others.

Another guest lecturer, Sir Patrick Ekwunife argued that the fight against corruption in the country can only succeed  through promptings of leaders who wre ready to embrace  and transmit honest habits, creating equal opportunities to all citizens through open career to talents, reward honesty and integrity while sanctioning what is wrong.

Ekwunife listed challenges facing corruption fight to include complex legal framework, weak enforcement , lack of political will and societal norms that tolerate and encourage corrupt practices.

The Chairman, Sagamu Local Government, Afolabi Ogunlate; the Radanuwa of Idado, Sagamu, Oba Musiliu Adegbola Soile, Osinderumu 1, and some security agencies have pledged to collaborate with Crime Victims Foundation of Nigeria (CRIVIFON) on the enforcement of human rights.

They spoke at the  first Human Rights Advocates Graduation ceremony of Sagamu, Ogun State unit of the organisation held at Advanced Breed Cosprhensive College hall, Sagamu.

About 18 persons graduated in the Civilian graduation Course

Executive Director and Chairperson of CRIVIFON, Mrs Gloria Egbuji, represented by her Deputy, Mr Titus Ofurum, said the essence of the Civilian Human Right training is to eradicate and create awareness amongst the civilian populace on human rights and rule of law.

He said that this would ensure that there is an interface between the Police and the civilians so that rights knowledge can be passed and spread around all.

Ofurum explained that the name of the group, CRIVIFOM is suggestive of their mission which is to support victims of crime and not the perpetrators.

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He explained that the group decided to train people so that they know their rights  so that they would be in position to help others whose rights are violated and trampled upon.

He reminded them that it was CRIVIFON that pushed for the law that made it compulsory for hospitals to treat gunshot and accident victims without police report.

He explained that it is a criminal offence for hospitals to refuse to treat gun shot victims as such medical officers are liable to be imprisonment.

“This is why we organise training workshops and invite officers of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and others for lectures and training to deepen human rights culture in the country.

He said Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, human rights to every Nigerian.

“I urge all those in position of authority to use their office to support the people and to avoid oppressing the people. I urge you to join hands with CRIVIFON to make the country a better place for all”, he said.

Ogunlate who was represented by the Vice Chairman of the Sagamu Local Government Council, Isiaka Salami, lamented that enforcing the rights and knowledge of the rights of the people has been a problem in the society.

He noted most times when police arrest someone, that person usually don’t know what to do next because  they lack knowledge of their rights and what they entail.

Salami pledged the readiness of the council chairman to work with CRIVIFON and his decision to provide an office for the organisation within the council secretariat complex.

Radanuwa of Idado, Sagamu,  Oba Soile, who was the royal father of the day, stated that there is a link between human rights and traditional institutions, stressing that culture must also have a place on rights issues.

The monarch explained that there is a link between human right and traditional institutions adding, “we are involve in justice, arbitration, settlement of disputes in many ways.”

He reminded members of the group that they should always consider culture in all that they do, advising, “if you want to settle dispute, you must also consider the culture of the people>”

He assured them that the traditional institutions in the area would work with them and ensure that they succeed.

NSCDC Divisional Officer, Sagamu Olorode Sulaiman disclosed that the service has now been given fiat by the Chief Judge, Ogun State Judiciary, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu to prosecute civil matters and human right infringement cases except criminal matters.

He promised to partner with the group to enforce the right of the people.

Superintendent Route Commander (SRC) Olufemi Olaore who represented Sagamu Unit Commander, stated that in Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), they do not take the rights of the people for granted.

 “It is your right to ask officers to explain to you what you have done”, he said while promising that the commission would collaborate with the group to achieve their goals.

Commander Oyelola Opeyemi who represented the Sagamu Divisional Commander  of TRACE, while admitting  human right issues in traffic laws also promised collaboration with CRIVIFON to ensure respect for the rights of the people.

The group National Coordinator, Mrs Beatrice Ojukwu in a remark, urged the new human rights advocates graduates to be bold, upright and not to be cunny but carry out their rights activities  according to the law.

A group, Crime Victims Foundation of Nigeria (CRIVIFON), has expressed displeasure over torture of suspects detained by police and other security agents.

 The group urged the Federal Government and law enforcement agencies to address the devastating impact of torture on victims across the country by ensuring the protection of their rights while under interrogation in the cells.

The Executive Director, Crime Victims Foundation of Nigeria (CRIVIFON), Mrs Gloria Egbuji, made the plea at a press conference addressed in Lagos  in commemoration of the United Nations International Day In Support Of Victims of Crime. The theme was: “Voice Against Torture: A call for global justice and Human Rights”

Mrs Egbuji, who was represented by a member of the Legal Team of the foundation, Benjamine Okafor, said that data from CRIVIFON in 2023 alone indicated that over 1,200 cases of torture by law enforcement agencies were reported across the country, adding that “these cases represent only a fraction of the actual number, as many victims remain silent due to fear of reprisal.”

Egbuji, therefore, called for strict enforcement of Anti-Torture Act 2017 to ensure that cases of torture are not swept under the carpet but investigated so that perpetrators are  brought to book.

The CRIVIFON Executive Director said this has become necessary because “torture undermines the integrity of the justice system, leading to false confessions and wrongful convictions. It erodes public trust in law enforcement agencies, making it harder to maintain law and order.”.

Mrs Egbuji also lamented: “torture leaves indelible scars, both visible and invisible. Victims suffer from chronic pain, disabilities, and psychological trauma that can last a lifetime. Research shows that torture survivors are at a higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. The long-term impact of these conditions extends beyond the individual, affecting families and communities.”

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She said studies have also shown that communities are less likely to cooperate with the police if they perceive them as agents of torture and oppression.

The CRIVIFON director advised government  to launch nationwide campaigns to educate the public about the rights of individuals and on the devastating effects of torture, to strictly enforce the Nigeria Anti Torture Act of 2017 and ensure that all cases of torture are promptly investigated and prosecuted, while perpetrators are held accountable.

She also urged government to implement comprehensive training programmes to educate law enforcement officers on human rights and the legal consequences of torture.

Chief Louis Alozie(SAN) who gave an appraisal of the compliance  by the Police with Anti-Torture Act 2017 urged government to strictly enforce the Nigeria Anti Torture Act of 2017 as well as ensuring that all cases of torture are promptly investigated and prosecuted, while perpetrators held accountable.

He remarked that the police are not alone in violation of the Anti-Torture Act and listed other violators to include men of the State Security Service, Military, Civil Defence and other law enforcement agents.

Alozie, whose presentation was read by Joachim Agha,  remarked that a visit to detention centres across the country reveal acts of torture by  law enforcement agents and this is not good for the human rights index and rating as a country.

Alozie  submitted that the level of compliance with the Anti-Torture Act, 2017 is poor and that a lot more has to be done to improve it.

He lamented lack of awareness both by the citizens and among the law enforcement agents on the existence of the Anti-Torture Act, 2017 which criminalises all forms of torture.

 He urged government to provide adequate medical, psychological, and legal support to victims of torture to aid their recovery and reintegration into society.

He advised the courts to invoke the provisions of the law when faced with cases of violations of the Anti-Torture Act, 2017.

“The court are equally advised to take advantage of the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and Administration of Criminal Justice Law of the various States in ensuring periodic visit and inspection of detention centres across the country to ensure that suspects are not detained beyond the  Constitutional limit and not subjected to any form of torture”, he said.