The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NHRC

  • Buhari approves five new appointments for NDDC, NERC, NHRC

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of five new executives for National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

    Mr Olusegun Adekunle, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), made this known in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

    He said the president made the appointments following their confirmation by the Senate.

    According to him, Mr Anthony Ojukwu from Imo State is the new Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with initial term of five years.

    “Mr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who hails from Ondo State, is the new Executive Director, Niger Delta Development Commission(N with initial term of four years.

    “Hon. Chika Ama, Nwauwa also from Imo State has been appointed the new Executive Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) also with initial term of four years.

    “Mr Nwogu N. Nwogu from Abia State is the new Executive Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) with initial term of four years.

    “And Prof. James Momoh from Edo State is the new Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) also with five years initial term.”

    The president directed that the appointments should take immediate effect.

  • FG pays N135m compensation to victims of DSS killings

    The Federal Government on Thursday paid N135million compensation to 19 victims of the September 20, 2013 shooting by Department of State Services ( DSS ) operatives at an uncompleted building behind the Apo Legislative quarters in Abuja.

    The payment made on behalf of the federal government by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, was in compliance with the 2014 recommendations made by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

    Soldiers and DSS operatives had invaded the uncompleted building and shot eight people dead.

    11 other people were injured in the incident.

    The security agencies had claimed the victims were killed in self defence.

     

  • NHRC blames INEC for electoral impunity

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for increasing impunity and cases of unlawful acts during elections.

    NHRC argued that electoral impunity would persist until INEC, its official and the various security agencies involved in the conduct of elections learn to remain impartial.

    The Commission suggested the prompt establishment of electoral crimes court to try election offenders.

    It also urged election tribunals to always deploy the powers under Section 146 of the Electoral Act 2010 to recommend cases of electoral infractions for the necessary agencies for investigation and prosecution.

    These were contained in a report released in Abuja on Wednesday by NHRC on its study of cases relating to the 2015 general election.

    The report is titled: “An independent study of the 2015 general election petition cases for evidence of gross violations of rights to participate in government, to public service and fair election (phase two: Final report).”

    The report, a sequel to similar report released in 2016, is the final phase of the NHRC’s “end electoral impunity” project launched in 2013.

    This report presents 35 cases of indictments involving INEC, its officials, politicians, lawyers, tribunals and the Nigeria Police Force.

    The 35 cases featured in this report were broken to include: 11 instances of criminal indictment, 14 criminal/administrative indictment, four administrative and six professional indictment.

    INEC and its officials featured in 23 of the 35 cases of indictment featured in the report.

     

  • Senate, AGF in fresh feud over NHRC chief

    Senate, AGF in fresh feud over NHRC chief

    The Senate on Wednesday mandated its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged resumption of the Executive Secretary of National Human Rights Commission {NHRC}, Anthony Ojukwu, without confirmation.

    The Senate mandate follows a Point of Order raised by Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West), drawing attention of the upper chamber to the alleged resumption of NHRC boss without its approval.

    Melaye told the Senate that he heard that the Attorney -General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, allegedly ordered Ojukwu to resume office in contravention of the Civil Service Rules and the Act establishing the Commission.

    Melaye insisted that Malami’s action was an affront on the authority of the Senate.

    He noted that it was not the first time the AGF would call the bluff of the Senate.

    The Kogi West senator asked the Senate to henceforth disqualify nominees of President Muhammadu Buhari who resume office without confirmation.

    The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, directed Committee on Justice, Human Rights and Legal Matters chaired by Senator David Umaru (Niger East) to quickly look into the matter with a view to verifying the authenticity or otherwise of the allegations against the AGF.

    The Senate said that it would not take it lightly the growing penchant of the President’s nominees to resume office without its confirmation.

    It asked the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to ensure that the growing disregard of Senate powers does not become the norm.

     

  • NHRC begins public hearing on hate speech, electoral violence

    NHRC begins public hearing on hate speech, electoral violence

    The National Human Rights Commission ( NHRC ), on Tuesday in Jos, began public hearing on hate speeches and electoral violence, witnessed during and after the 2015 general elections in North-Central states.

    Mrs Oti Ovrawah, the NHRC’s Acting Executive Secretary, who declared the event open, said the public hearing was necessitated by a  myriad of complaints received by the commission against persons or parties.

    Ovrawah said those people and parties were alleged to have been involved in promoting hate speech and electoral violence.

    According to her, the public hearing is also to deepen Nigeria’s democracy and promote issue based campaigns, as against speeches that would divide Nigerians and engender electoral violence.

    “As you are aware, reports of violent incidents and the spread of hate and dangerous messages were widely recorded in the events that preceded the 2015 general elections.

    “Hate speeches and electoral violence have become more frequent in the past because there was no political will to hold the perpetrators accountable.

    “So the essence of this public hearing is to seek for accountability, where there is evidence that any person has been involved in hate speeches and election related violence in relation to 2015 elections.

    “This is also to deepen our democracy and encourage election campaigns that would be based on issues rather than the use of hate speeches capable of causing election violence,” she said.

    Read also: Boko Haram: NHRC denies indicting Presidency, others in report

    The acting Executive Secretary added that the exercise would ensure better future elections that would be devoid of rancour and hate speeches.

    She explained that the hearing would be based on complaints received and the preliminary investigations and analyses already carried out by the commission.

    Ovrawah noted that those, who would be indicted at the hearing would be recommended to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice for prosecution.

    “In addition to this, a register of persons involved in hate speeches and election violence will be opened to serve as a reference point in future election related matters,” she added.

    She enjoined all parties involved to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

    Similar exercise will be held in other geo-political zones across the country.

    NAN

  • Boko Haram: NHRC denies indicting Presidency, others in report

    Boko Haram: NHRC denies indicting Presidency, others in report

    THE National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said the report of its human rights and humanitarian needs assessment of the Boko Haram-ravaged Northeast did not indict the Presidency, Federal and state governments, their officials and agencies.

    NHRC’s Acting Executive Secretary Mrs. Oti Ovrawah, who said this yesterday in Abuja, explained that the clarification became necessary in view of some distortions, arising from recent media accounts on the report, which is presently at its draft state and undergoing validation and consultations.

    Mrs. Ovrawah  added:“The attention of the NHRC has been drawn to media reports suggesting that the draft assessment report indicts the Presidency, ex-SGF (ex-Secretary to Government of the Federation), among others on the diversion of IDP funds.

    “The commission wishes to state categorically that the draft Northeast human rights assessment report does not, in any way, indict the Presidency, ex-SGF or any other Federal Government or state government officials or international or national institutions.”

  • NHRC tells Fed Govt: it’s time to end herdsmen attacks

    NHRC tells Fed Govt: it’s time to end herdsmen attacks

    THE National Human Rights Commission has expressed concern over  alleged incessant killings  by suspected herdsmen, urging the Federal Government to act now.

    NHRC’s Acting Executive Secretary Mrs. Oti Ovrawah said the “time has come for the government and security agencies to ensure effective protection of lives and properties of defenceless Nigerians, who have been victims of incessant attacks by suspected herdsmen in the country”.

    NHRC Spokesperson Mrs. Fatimah Agwai Mohammad said in a statement yesterday that Mrs. Ovrawah spoke in reaction to the reported killings in Southern Kaduna and other parts of the country by suspected herdsmen.

    She argued that the increasing frequency of such attacks “now makes it imperative, more than ever before, for the government and the security agencies to act fast to put a stop to these callous acts”.

    Mrs. Ovrawah, who urged security agencies to be more proactive and committed in the discharge of their duties in containing these attacks, said there was an urgent need to prioritise preventive measures as a way of reducing the attacks.

    She stated that the NHRC was partnering with other stakeholders to work out ways of addressing the problem, having received complaints from communities on alleged attacks by herdsmen.

    Mrs. Ovrawah regretted that the attacks have caused thousands of deaths and countless cases of displacements.

    She said conflicts were usually fuelled by human rights abuses and suggested the promotion of peace-building among communities as a way out.

    Mrs. Ovrawah advised communities to embrace the age-long beneficial relationship of peaceful coexistence and to desist from taking arms against themselves.

  • NHRC to FG: It’s time to end herdsmen attacks

    The National Human Rights Commission has expressed concern at the incessant killings by suspected herdsmen and urged the Federal Government to act now.

    NHRC’s Acting Executive Secretary, Mrs. Oti Ovrawah, said the “time has come for the government and security agencies to ensure effective protection of lives and properties of defenceless Nigerians, who are victims of incessant attacks by suspected herdsmen in the country.”

    Spokesperson of the NHRC, Mrs. Fatimah Agwai Mohammad, said in a statement on Wednesday that Mrs. Ovrawah’s comments followed the recent killing of some Nigerians in Southern Kaduna and other parts of the country by suspected herdsmen.

    She argued that the frequency of such attacks now makes it imperative, more than ever before, for the government and the security agencies “to act fast to put a stop to these callous acts.”

    Mrs. Ovrawah, who urged security agencies to be more proactive and committed in the discharge of their duties, said there is an urgent need to prioritize preventive measures as a way of reducing these attacks.

     

  • NHRC, police pledge improved collaboration to end rights abuses

    NHRC, police pledge improved collaboration to end rights abuses

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Nigerian Police Force NPF) have agreed on enhanced collaboration to ensure improved promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights in the country.
    This formed the fulcrum of a meeting in Abuja between the Acting Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Mrs. Oti Ovrawah and Commissioner of Police of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Mustafa.
    NHRC’s spokesperson Mrs. Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, in a statement, quoted Mrs. Ovrawah as noting that the police remained a reliable ally in the fight against human rights violation, because they are the first respondents to victims of human rights violation.
    The Acting NHRC’s Executive Secretary, who received Mustafa in the commission’s headquarters, said the visit of the police team, led by the Police Commissioner afforded both sides the opportunity to work on other areas of partnership between them.
    Mustafa, who hailed Mrs Ovrawah’s appointment as the Ag Executive Secretary, said the NHRC has done a lot of work in the area of promotion and protection of human rights in the FCT.
    He pledged the support of the police for the work of the commission, adding that his men will be committed to the observance of human rights tenets in their operations.

  • NHRC, police pledge improve collaboration on rights abuse

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) have vowed to ensure improved promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights in the country.

    This formed the fulcrum of a meeting in Abuja on Thursday between the Acting Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Mrs. Oti Ovrawah and Commissioner of Police of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Mustafa.

    NHRC’s spokesperson, Mrs. Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, in a statement, quoted Ovrawah as saying that the police remained a reliable ally in the fight against human rights violation, because they are the first respondents to victims of rights abuse.

    The Acting NHRC’s Executive Secretary, who received Mustafa in the commission’s headquarters, said the visit of the police team, led by the Police Commissioner afforded both sides the opportunity to work on other areas of partnership between them.

    Mustafa, who hailed Ovrawah’s appointment as the NHRC Ag Executive Secretary, said the Commission has done a lot of work in the area of promotion and protection of human rights in the FCT.