The Nation Newspaper

Tag: human rights

  • CJN to chair book launch on corruption, human rights law in Africa

    CJN to chair book launch on corruption, human rights law in Africa

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, will next Monday, August 18, chair the launch of a book, titled: Corruption and Human Rights Law in Africa.

    The book was written by Dr. Kolawole Olaniyan of Amnesty International (AI) in London.

    Also expected at the book presentation are: Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, the chief launcher; Executive Director of the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), Abdul Tijan-Cole and the Chief Registrar of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Dr Robert Eno.

    Also expected at the event is the Oba of Lagos, Riliwanu Akiolu II, the royal father of the day.

    Other dignitaries are: the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Ekpo Nta; Prof Akin Oyebode of the Faculty of Law of University of Lagos (UNILAG); Lagos lawyer Mr Femi Falana (SAN); Lagos State Solicitor-General, Lawal Pedro; the Director-General of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs Dupe Atoki and former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

  • Human rights lawyer, Fadipe, murdered

    Human rights lawyer, Fadipe, murdered

    Lagos-based human rights crusader, Mr. Olakunle Alexander Fadipe, was killed at home on Thursday night by a lone assailant.

    Fadipe was stabbed to death in his sitting room at Harmony Estate, College Road, Ogba, Lagos, at about 11pm.

    Fadipe’s son, Folarin was also stabbed, as was his mother-in-law.

    The suspect was arrested before he could escape from the scene and is now in security custody at  the Olowosokedile Police Station.

    Eye witnesses said he may have gained access into his victims’ residence by scaling the fence.

    He was said to have first pounced on Folarin when the boy opened the door to go and switch on the electricity generator.

    Folarin, with blood gushing from the severe knife wounds inflicted on his head and wrist by the assailant, rushed inside to alert the father to the presence of the intruder.

    The suspect followed him and upon sighting the lawyer demanded the sum of N500,000, which the late Fadipe declared he did not have at home.

    He offered  a lower amount and any other personal effect, including mobile phones which the intruder reportedly rejected .

    He insisted on collecting the half a million naira otherwise he would kill someone

    He reached for the lawyer’s mother-in-law, but the lawyer rose to defend the woman, and Fadipe, according to eyewitnesses, succeeded in wrestling the suspect to the ground.

    In a twist, however, the intruder gained the upper hand  and stabbed Fadipe repeatedly with a butchers’ knife and a kitchen knife obtained from the late lawyer’s kitchen.

    Sources said Fadipe, a former member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and a member of the editorial board of The Guardian Newspaper, was stabbed on the left side of the neck, armpit, and stomach, losing a lot of blood in the process.

    The Divisional Police officer (DPO) of the Olowosokedile Police Station, Mr Olatunji Ajimuda, confirmed the incident.

    He said he received the alert at about 12am.

    The police are already investigating the matter.

    Sympathisers, including the Chairman, Ifako Ijaiye Local Government, Hon. Oloruntoba Oke, member, Lagos State House of Assembly representing Ifako Ijaiye (II), Hon, Saka Fafunmi, as well as the former chairman of the council Hon. Demola Doherty, yesterday visited the house to condole the family.

    They described him as a worthy and courageous lawyer.

  • Two human rights lawyers shot dead in Delta

    Legal practitioners in Delta state have been thrown into mourning following the gruesome assassination of two lawyers on Thursday.
    Renowned lawyer and human rights activist Mr Horrace Egbon Dafiogho and his junior colleague, identified as Sam Ekwajor, were shot dead along Ughelli – Ozoro road on Thursday.
    It was gathered that the duo were on their way to Ozoro, where they are defending suspects in a high profile kidnap case involving a prominent politician in the state, when they were killed.
    Although the circumstance surrounding the killing was yet unclear, it was gathered that the incident has led to shock and panic among legal practitioners in the state.
    The National Coordinator, Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence, Mr Oghenejabor Ikimi, told our reporter he was stupefied by the development.
    He said, “It was last night that I just heard the news and it is very surprising to me. Why would anybody kill a lawyer and an activist who spends his time defending the less privileged in the society?”
    Our reporter gathered that prior to his death on Thursday the legal practitioner had raised the alarm over threat on his life.
    One his colleagues told our reporter, “He even told the judge hearing one of his cases that his life was being threatened.”

     

     

  • FG urged to abide by human rights treaties

    Advocacy groups have called on the federal government to pay attention to the recommendations made by the Working Group at the on-going United Nations Human Rights Council 17th Universal Periodic Review (UPR) session in Geneva.
    The groups, including  Pen International, Development Dynamics and Coalition for the defence of Sexual Rights, are attending the session.
    They urged the government to ensure that its  legislations are in compliance with the international human rights treaties obligations binding on Nigeria as a state party.
    While calling on the government to do more to protect the rights and lives of writers and journalists, particularly those at the country’s troubled-spots, the International President of Pen International, Deji Olukotun, said the government  should take into account the recommendations by the session in Geneva.
    He said: “Hold  to  account  federal  and  state  security  forces  and  officials  involved  in infringing  fundamental  rights  of  writers  and  journalists  guaranteed  by  the Constitution; take concrete steps to address impunity in the killings of journalists; allow journalists to investigate state action and human rights issues related to Boko Haram without suffering threats, intimidation, or arrest, and end threats against writers and journalists who are exercising their right to freedom of expression.”
    The Coalition for the defence of Sexual Rights said the government should review and repeal all laws that impede the exercise on the rights of persons, especially vulnerable groups such as women, children, people with living with Disabilities (PWDs) and sexual minorities.
     

  • UN review of human rights begins

    As the Human Rights Council’s 17th Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Session began on Monday, the protection of the rights of women, children and vulnerable groups topped  the list of discussion at the United Nations office in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Saudi Arabia and Senegal reports on human rights protection came under strict review by the session, with  both countries being urged  to intensify efforts in the protection of rights of women and children and other vulnerable groups.
    Nigeria will  present its  records on efforts towards human rights protection in the country on Tuesday  at the session.
    In its report, the Federal Government has reiterated its “commitments to the Human Rights Council through its active participation in the work and activities of the Council, support for the National Human Rights Commission, commitment to human rights instruments and support for all strategies at regional and international levels to promote and protect human rights”.
    Other countries listed along Nigeria for the 17th session, which will run till November 1, include China, Mexico, Senegal, Jordan, Malaysia, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo and Belize.
    Afghanistan, Chile, Vietnam, Uruguay, Yemen, Vanuatu, Eritrea and Cambodia have been listed for the UPR 18th session. 
    About 30 journalists worldwide  would be covering the sessions along with attending a special training tagged: Media Empowerment on Human Rights organised by Gmedia Centre, a Geneva-based initiative committed to empowering the  media to further human rights and democracy goals.
    The training  is sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Switzerland Government as part of the human rights review.
    Eight Nigeria journalists at the session include,  Sebastian Ebhuomhan (National Mirror), Tobi Soniyi (Thisday), Utibe Umoren (African Independent Television), Anwulika Ngene (Superscreen Television), Innocent Anaba (Vanguard); Bosede Ijelekhai (Federal Radio Nigeria); Yahaya Ibrahim (Daily Trust) and Evelyn Osagie (The Nation).
     
     

  • US urges respect for human rights

    The United States wants Nigeria to respect human rights in the on-going offensive against terrorists in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

    In a statement in Washington D.C, the US Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, said his country is “deeply concerned about the fighting in North eastern Nigeria following President Jonathan’s declaration of a state of emergency” in the three states.

    He also spoke of ‘deep concern’ by “credible allegations that Nigerian security forces are committing gross human rights violations, which, in turn, only escalates the violence and fuel extremism.”

    He condemned “Boko Haram’s campaign of terror in the strongest terms,” and urged soldiers on the operation in the three states to “apply disciplined use of force in all operations, protect civilians in any security response, and respect human rights and the rule of law.”

  • Group rises for human rights, democracy

    Group rises for human rights, democracy

    As part of activities to mark the 2013 edition of World Freedom Day, members of World League for Freedom and Democracy WLFD), an advocacy organisation for freedom and sustainable democracy the world over, recently converged on Taipei, Taiwan to strategise on ways to achieve global freedom. After much deliberation, they reached a conclusion that good governance and democracy remain key means through which this could be guaranteed.

    A Nigerian Hon. Beni Lar representing Langtang North/Langtang South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives was a member of the forum.

    The WLFD, which was formed in 1959, is an anti-communist League that fought for freedom and democracy for Taiwan.

    Its objectives to advocate and support causes of freedom, democracy and world peace; to promote respect for human rights and the fundamental freedom of all people; to be a coordinating centre for international co- operation in economic development and educational and cultural exchange designed to contribute to social progress and better standard of life; and to combine efforts against international terrorism, aggression, imperialism in whatever form or guise.

    The organisation that has 100 chapters worldwide plans to partner with the National Assembly and National Human Rights Commission to open a chapter in Nigeria.

    In her remarks at the forum, Hon Lar said: “Nigeria is working hard to promote freedom and human rights, even as she tries to consolidate on its gains of democracy. She posited that Nigeria is strengthening its democratic institutions and processes to achieve this goal.

    Continuing, she said: “The Nigerian Parliament recently passed an Act to give the National Human Rights Commission prosecutory powers. It also made it an independent body. And through Acts such as Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, the HIV and AIDS Anti-discrimination Act, the Minimum Wage Act and pending Bills such as the Violence against Persons Bill and the Anti-torture Bill among others, it is strengthening human rights protection.

    “The National Assembly is working hard to promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedom of Nigeria citizens.”

    She also disclosed role that Nigeria is playing to promote regional security and development in the West African Sub-region in order to maintain peace and security.

    She thanked the Taiwanese government for inviting Nigeria to be among the 100 countries that participated in this year’s World Freedom Day celebration.

  • Lawyer dedicates SAN award to human rights community

    Lawyer dedicates SAN award to human rights community

     A newly-appointed Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Abeni Muhammed, has dedicated the award to the human rights’ community.
    Speaking at a reception organised in his honour at the Akwa Ibom House, Abuja, Muhammed said he owed his new status to his antecedent as a human rights’ activist and commitment to philosophy of humility and justice.
    The Ilorin-based lawyer said his lowly beginning as a man who had no formal secondary school education made him to perpetually pitch his tent with the under-trodden in the society.
    “I grew up in a family of seven children where I was the only one who was sent to school on the singular advocacy of my late mother who could only see me up to Modern School level.
    “I owe all my life achievements to Almighty God and I renew my pledge that no client will ever be turned back from my chamber on the account of lack of legal fee,” he declared, adding:  “That has been my policy and so shall it remain.”
    Earlier, a retired high court judge from Kwara State, Justice Banji Orilonise, who was chairman of the occasion, described Muhammed as an epitome of humility, hard work and Spartan discipline.
    Justice Orilonise stressed the need for all members of the bar and the bench to always defend the rule of law, truth and the course of justice under all circumstances.