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Tag: NHRC

  • NHRC plans database for displaced, missing Nigerians

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) plans a database of Nigerians displaced, dead and missing from the activities of insurgents in the country.

    The initiative, which involved other agencies of the Federal Government, is intended to enable government’s on-ongoing efforts at addressing the challenges created by the activities of the insurgents.

    NHRC’s Executive Secretary Prof Bem Angwe spoke in Abuja yesterday while addressing a “roundtable for the establishment of database of missing persons in Nigeria”.

    He said about 1.8 million Nigerians have so far been documented as missing, while many more are yet to be accounted for since insurgent activities commenced in the country

    Angwe blamed the absence of accurate records of Nigerians for the difficulty being experienced in identifying Nigerian victims of insurgency and differentiating them from citizens of other neighbouring countries.

    “We were talking about the missing 200 and something school girls without knowing that thousands of others were kidnapped and were being held by the Boko Haram insurgents until the military recently freed many.

    “It was not until the military, in their efforts to repress the activities of the insurgents that Nigerians got to know that thousands of Nigerians, particularly, women and children were in the hands of these insurgents.

    “Even today, as we speak, we still have several Nigerians that we cannot account for.

    “Our inability to account for Nigerians, who are either in the hands of the insurgents or who have died in their search for refuge, or who may have been killed as a result of the activities of the insurgents is a problem.

    “How do we begin to talk about displaced people when we do not have data, when we do not have statistics and we do not have records?

    “As a country, it is very important that we demonstrate the value we place on the lives of Nigerians. It is unfortunate that in the country today, we don’t have record of birth and we don’t also have an exact record of death.

    “It therefore becomes difficult to give account. And when we are confronted with a situation such as the insurgency activities being witnessed now in some parts of the country,” Angwe said.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo hailed the initiative by the NHRC for the establishment of a robust and credible database for missing persons affected by the activities of insurgency and other criminal acts.

    Represented by a Special Assistant, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu,  Osinbajo assured the commission of the Federal Government’s support.

  • Alleged travel ban: Fayose petitions NHRC, UN, others

    Alleged travel ban: Fayose petitions NHRC, UN, others

    Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over a claim that the Federal Government had placed travel ban on him.

    The petition filed on his behalf by the state’s House of Assembly also complained about the alleged refusal of an agent of the Federal Government, the Department of State Services (DSS), to obey a Federal High Court judgment, ordering it to pay N5 million damages on the illegal arrest and detention for 18 days of a member of the House, Afolabi Akanni.

    The National Assembly, Amnesty International, Embassies of the United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (UK) were also copied with the petition.

    Fayose, few weeks ago, wrote to Chinese government, urging it to refuse financial aid to the Federal Government.

    The petition signed by the Speaker, Kolawole Oluwawole, was submitted yesterday in Abuja, to NHRC’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Bem Angwe, who assured that his commission would investigate the petition.

    The Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Segun Adewumi, who submitted the petition, was accompanied by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Gboyega Aribisogan and Chairman House Committee on Health, Dr. Samuel Omotoso.

    The petition reads: “We write to bring to your attention another impending infringement on the rights of the Governor of our state, Mr. Ayodele Fayose and by extension the entire Ekiti by the Federal Government.

    “A few weeks ago, our governor was reliably informed that President Muhammadu Buhari had directed that he should be banned from travelling outside Nigeria. This reliable information was to be confirmed through reports in two major national dailies on Sunday, May 29, 2016 titled: ‘2 govs under watch, face travel ban’.

    “From our findings, one of the governors being referred to is our own governor, and we wish to state like we have always done that we, the members of Ekiti State House of Assembly are with the governor on everything that he does.

    “Even ordinary Nigerians do not require clearance from the Department of State Services (DSS) or any security agency to travel outside Nigeria unless in compliance with court order, and as at today, there is no court order placing travel restriction on our governor. Issues concerning Governor Fayose cannot even be entertained in any court by virtue of the immunity he enjoys as provided in Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    “We however know as always that this latest plot is as a result of our governor’s critical stance on President Buhari’s government and its anti-people’s policies, and we make bold to say that no amount of intimidation, harassment and oppression will cowed the governor from exercising his fundamental rights to freedom of expression and to hold opinions as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).

    “We are aware that this is coming as a result of the failure of the President Buhari-led APC government’s plot to use the DSS to coerce the House of Assembly members into the plot of removing the governor.”

    The lawmakers said it was worrisome that the Federal Government would consider the idea of compelling a sitting governor in Nigeria that enjoys Constitutional Immunity like the President to obtain clearance from the Director General DSS, who is an appointee of the President before travelling out of Nigeria.

    The letter noted  that in 1984 when President Buhari was a military Head of State, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was prevented from travelling outside Nigeria for medical treatment, “thereby leading to his (Awolowo) untimely death in 1987”.

    It added: “The international passports of late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade; late Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero and late Obi of Onitsha, Ofala Akulalia Alphonsus Ogugua were also seized and they were restricted to their palaces just because they travelled to Israel for business.

    “We therefore wish to state on behalf of Governor Ayodele Fayose that as an opposition figure, he cannot be cowed by this pettiness from the presidency.”

    Angwe commended members of the House of Assembly for their commitment to the sustenance of rule of law in the country and cooperation with the executive arm of government in Ekiti State.

     

     

  • NHRC seeks separate court for crimes against women, girls

    NHRC seeks separate court for crimes against women, girls

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the creation of a special court to try cases relating to violence against women to ensure prompt and diligent prosecution of such matters.

    Its chairman, Prof. Bem Angwe, who made the call yesterday, said such court was necessary in view of the rise in reported cases of violence against women.

    He noted that the regular courts were usually occupied with civil and political cases, thereby engendering delay in the determination of cases involving suspects in cases of violence against women.

    Angwe, who spoke in Abuja yesterday at an event by the NHRC to commemorate the International Women’s Day 2016, regretted the increasing cases of female child abduction in the country.

    He urged the Federal Government and other partners to intensify efforts to end the trend and rescue those already abducted, including the Chibok school girls.

    Angwe blamed the rise in cases of women and female child related violence on the reluctance of women/children to ensure the prosecution of the culprits, where those involved are either their husbands or fathers, who are mostly the family’ s bread winner.

    “Because they are afraid that, once the man is locked up, where he is the bread winner of the family, the children and other dependants would suffer, the female victims of this violence are always reluctant to ensure that such husband is prosecuted and kept away in prison,” he said.

    Angwe, who expressed worry over the activities of those he termed “miracle merchants”, who subject children to torture in the guise of exorcizing “evil spirits” from them, said his commission would soon move against them.

    “It is so sad that we still engage in dehumanising cultural practices that subject women to all forms of torture, including drinking of water used to bath the corpse of their deceased husbands; forced to shave their hair, among others, when their husbands die.

    “We are working to end child marriage and forced marriage of the girl-child. We will begin by educating those involved. After education, if they persist, we will apply punishment.

    “We are going to begin to prosecute miracle merchants. These people, who claim to have powers to identify children with witchcraft and subject them to all forms of torture in the name of seeking to exorcize the witchcraft spirit from them,” he said.

    Angwe called for effective implementation of the recently enacted Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act because of their unique provisions, including witness protect and compensation for victims.

    “In line with the United Nations Resolution 63/155 of 2008, we urge the Federal Government to adopt a systemic, comprehensive, multi-sectoral and sustained approach that will put an end to impunity for perpetrators of violence against women.

    “It is regrettable that despite government’s efforts and the various campaigns to end all forms of domestic violence, particularly against women and girls, the practice has continued to rise steadily.

    “While commending individuals and groups that have expressed concern over the plight of the Chibok girls and other women abducted by the insurgents, we urge the Federal Government not to relent in its commendable efforts at ensuring the rescue of all the abductees,” Angwe said.

     

  • NHRC threatens to shut oil firms causing oil pollution

    NHRC threatens to shut oil firms causing oil pollution

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has threatened to shut oil companies, whose activities negatively affect the environment and residents of their host communities.

    NHRC’s Executive Secretary Prof. Bem Angwe spoke yesterday after inaugurating an investigative panel on the complaints of some host communities about environmental pollution caused by the oil companies.

    He regretted that past reports produced by government regulatory agencies and institutions were ignored by the affected companies.

    Angwe said his agency had raised a team, which toured the affected areas.

    He promised that the era of impunity was over as the commission would ensure that its report was implemented.

    “We will not allow this impunity to continue. So we have decided to carry out our special investigation.

    “After this, we will take the report to the Federal Government and in line with our mandate, we will ensure that these report is implemented.

    “Like we have said, this commission will shut the oil companies that violate the rights of the people.”

    On whether NHRC had the power to shut erring companies, Angwe said NHRC is mandated to probe issues on the rights of Nigerians.

    He said NHRC resolved to protect the rights of Nigerians even when it involves “strong multinational oil companies” as the violators.

    “We are also sad to note that reports by government agencies and institutions with the power to assess, monitor, and regulate these companies were ignored.

    “I want to tell you that this commission has the mandate to enquire into the alleged violation of the rights of the  people.

    “Apart from the fact that Nigerians do have environmental rights, there is a specific part of the complaints that border on the enjoyment of Nigerians.

    “I also want to say that from what we monitored, we have observed that there are issues that will require this commission to investigate and enquire more into and our findings will be made available to Nigerians,” Angwe said.

    The panel, with Mrs. Oti Ovrawah as chairman, has  Tony Ojukwu, A.A. Yakubu, Nduka Ezenwugo, Saka Azimazi (secretary) and Yemisi Akhile (assistant secretary) as members. It has two months to turn in its report.

    The panel’s terms of reference are: “To consider complaints on oil spillage and similar activities of oil pollution in the environment;

    “To invite memoranda from the public on any action, omission, negligence leading to such oil spillage, non-effective clean up of such pollution or spillage, non-payment or wrongful payment of compensation, to find out persons responsible for any act of alleged environmental pollution or degradation as complained, to make recommendations on how to prevent further oil spillage, non-effective clean up of oil spillage, environmental pollution or otherwise stated in these terms of reference.

    “To make recommendations on damages for victims of any violation resulting from findings of the investigation panel and any other matter relevant to the assignment.”

     

  • NHRC threatens to shut oil companies over pollution

    The National Human Rights‎ Commission (NHRC) has threatened to shut oil companies whose activities negatively affect the environment and residents of their host communities.

    NHRC’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Bem Angwe, said this after‎ inaugurating an investigative panel on the complaints by some host communities on environmental pollution caused by activities of oil companies on Monday.

    He regretted that past reports produced by various government regulatory ‎agencies and institutions were ignored by the affected companies.

    Angwe said his agency had earlier raised a team which undertook an on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas.

    He assured that the era of impunity is over as the commission would ensure that its own report is fully implemented.

    “We will not allow this impunity to continue. So we have decided to carry our special investigations into the activities.

    “After this, we will take the report to the Federal Government of Nigeria and in line with our mandate, we will ensure that these report is implemented to the letter.

    “Like we have said, this commission will not hesitate to shut down oil companies that today violate the rights of the people of Nigeria.”

    On whether the NHRC possesses the power to shut the erring companies, Angwe said it was part of the mandate of the NHRC to investigate all issues bordering on rights of Nigerians.

     

     

  • NHRC seeks U.S assistance on money laundering, arms import

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought the assistance of the United States government in halting money laundering and illegal importation of arms and ammunitions into the country.

    NHRC’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Bem Angwe, said this while a 10-member U.S delegation on defense and security visited him in his office in Abuja, Tuesday.

    Angwe said “economic terrorists” and the activities of Boko Haram were the nation’s major challenges.

    He said those who stashed away stolen public funds in foreign bank accounts belong to the class of “economic terrorists” that the U.S government must assist Nigeria to defeat.

    Angwe regretted that most European countries, that readily accept stolen funds from Nigeria, were aiding people in looting funds that could have been used to improve dying infrastructures in the country.

     

  • NHRC summons Enugu Waste Management boss

    NHRC summons Enugu Waste Management boss

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has summoned Managing Director of the Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA), Dominic Okonkwo, to appear before it on January 28 in relation to allegations of human rights abuses made against him and his agency.

    NHRC’s spokesperson Fatimah Agwai Mohammed said in a statement yesterday that this was the second time her agency would be inviting the Director and officials of ESWAMA, who were alleged to have orchestrated human rights abuses in the exercise of their duties.

    ESWAMA officials were alleged to have assaulted Messrs Mohammed Koma and Haruna Koma, private security guards in Enugu State and causing bodily harms to them.

    The commission reminded Okonkwo that it is an offence under Section 6(4) (4) of the NHRC Act of 1995, as amended, for any person, body or authority to refuse to comply with the commission’s lawful directives. Such person(s) will be “liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of six months or to a fine of N100, 000.00, or to both”.

    On October 29, 2015, the Office the United Nations System’s Operational Activities for Development in Nigeria referred a petition to the NHRC at the instance of The Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN) where officials of ESWAMA on October 23, 2015, while on a revenue drive, were said to have brutally assaulted two security men: Messrs Mohammed Koma and Haruna Koma at No. 23 Mbaukwu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu State for failing to present evidence of payment of sanitation fees by their employer. They were alleged to have beaten the duo with shovel and heavy iron rods.

  • NHRC inaugurates five-man panel to probe Army, Shiite clash

    NHRC inaugurates five-man panel to probe Army, Shiite clash

    THE National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has inaugurated a five-man panel to probe the remote and immediate causes of the clash between the Nigerian Army and members of the Shiite Islamic sect in Zaria.

    The commission’s Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, who inaugurated the panel in Abuja yesterday, said the investigation became necessary following a complaint tendered before the commission by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    “Pursuant to the receipt of this complaint from the military, the commission, in line with its mandate to receive complaints on human rights violations, to monitor and to investigate such allegations, with a view to making appropriate determination in the circumstances, has decided to constitute an investigation panel with a view to carrying out a holistic investigation into the alleged violations of human rights,” he said.

    According to Angwe, the panel is expected to make recommendations to the commission on how to forestall a recurrence.

    He stated that the panel would investigate to determine violations of human rights on any of the parties during the clash, recommend remedies, and restitution if necessary.

    The panel has Mr. Tony Ojukwu as its chairman and Mr. Kabiru Elayo as secretary.

    Other members of the committee include Mr. Abdulrahman Yakubu; Mr. Halilu Adamu and Mr. Babangida Labaran.

    Responding on behalf of the panel, Ojukwu promised that it would do its best to justify the confidence reposed in it.

    The panel has two months within which to submit its report.

    A clash between the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff and members of the Shiite Islamic sect led by Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky on December 13 along the Kaduna-Zaria road left a number of people dead.

    THE National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has inaugurated a five-man panel to probe the remote and immediate causes of the clash between the Nigerian Army and members of the Shiite Islamic sect in Zaria.

    The commission’s Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, who inaugurated the panel in Abuja yesterday, said the investigation became necessary following a complaint tendered before the commission by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    “Pursuant to the receipt of this complaint from the military, the commission, in line with its mandate to receive complaints on human rights violations, to monitor and to investigate such allegations, with a view to making appropriate determination in the circumstances, has decided to constitute an investigation panel with a view to carrying out a holistic investigation into the alleged violations of human rights,” he said.

    According to Angwe, the panel is expected to make recommendations to the commission on how to forestall a recurrence.

    He stated that the panel would investigate to determine violations of human rights on any of the parties during the clash, recommend remedies, and restitution if necessary.

    The panel has Mr. Tony Ojukwu as its chairman and Mr. Kabiru Elayo as secretary.

    Other members of the committee include Mr. Abdulrahman Yakubu; Mr. Halilu Adamu and Mr. Babangida Labaran.

    Responding on behalf of the panel, Ojukwu promised that it would do its best to justify the confidence reposed in it.

    The panel has two months within which to submit its report.

    A clash between the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff and members of the Shiite Islamic sect led by Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky on December 13 along the Kaduna-Zaria road left a number of people dead.

     

  • Army petitions NHRC over attack on COAS’ convoy by sect

    Army petitions NHRC over attack on COAS’ convoy by sect

    •Justifies killing of seven people 

    The Nigerian Army yesterday took its case to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over its claim that the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, was attacked in Zaria, Kaduna State at the weekend by members of the Shiite sect.

    In a petition deposited at the NHRC’s headquarters in Abuja yesterday on behalf of the COAS by Maj.-Gen. Adamu Abubakar, the Army said members of the sect, who barricaded the road, had threatened the COAS before his security aides “took the necessary action” to prevent an untoward occurrence.

    The Army, in a report of what happened titled: “Occurrence report,” signed by Brig.-Gen. A. T. Hamman, attached to the petition, said only seven people died and about 10 were wounded in the attack.

    The petition reads: “Despite the troops firing warning shots, the El-Zazaki’s group continued attempting to forge towards the troops. The troops immediately responded in line with the rules of engagement as the life of the VIP (COAS) was seriously threatened.

    “Troops had to shoot their way through up to the Zaria Post Office area by PZ to provide a safe corridor for the COAS and the convoy to pass through before the arrival of the reinforcement from depot of the Nigeria Army. The COAS then proceeded to the Emir’s palace for the courtesy visit before moving to Depot, NA to review the 73 RRI passing out parade.

    “Sequel to the above, about seven of the members of the group were shot dead and the COAS directed that the 10 wounded be evacuated to the Depot, NA Medial Centre for treatment while all exhibit items such as swords, knives, cell phones be recovered from the scene,” the report said.

    “On noticing the high profile convoy, they quickly used heavy stones, logs, tyres and bonfires to block the road. All entreaties to pacify and administration of warning to the sect fell on deaf ears. On the contrary, they became more emboldened and demanded martyrdom with gun shots and pelting of the convoy with whatever was available to them.

    “This left immediate security personnel of the Chief of Army Staff with no choice than to take the necessary actions in line with Nigerian Army rules of engagements to clear the attack and extricate the entire convoy.

    “The sect demonstrated absolute defiance to reason, law and order before launching the attack. The COAS has instituted an investigation into the incident. Furthermore, the Shiite Muslims have been contacted nationwide to let them know that the Nigerian Army is not against them, but was forced to respond to the brutal attack by misguided elements among them.”

    Responding, the NHRC’s Executive Secretary, Prof Bem Angwe, who received the petition, assured the Army that his commission will act on it.

    He commended the military for realising that the country was in a democracy and that every institution must act in accordance with the law.

    Angwe said his agency will investigate the petition and others to be submitted to it by the affected parties in the case before coming up with its report.

    He said his NHRC has urged the Federal Government to investigate the incident.

     

  • Lawyer petitions NHRC over human right abuses in Rivers

    Lawyer petitions NHRC over human right abuses in Rivers

    The Executive Director Initiation for Advancement of Humanity (IAH), Mr. Gbenga Austen Oladapo, yesterday petitioned the Port Harcourt office of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for their inability to effect actions on human right buses in Rivers State.

    Gbenga who led other human right groups to protest NHRC’s inefficiency in Rivers State said there are so many human right abuses which the commission is aware of  but have been left unattended.

    The IAH Director spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt after he submitted a protest letter to the Rivers State office of the NHRC.

    Gbenga, who was angry over the suffering of the victims of human rights abuses, said many people are suffering, some have been evicted from their homes because NHRC failed to carry out their responsibilities.

    “The National Human Rights Commission has fixed several hearings for people who have been forcefully evicted from their homes. But anytime this hearing wants to come up there will be something to scuttle it, because the commission failed to be proactive on pressing issues.

    “Since 2005 they have been rendered homeless, a lot of them are destitute, they are all impoverished and the NHRC is docile. We are protesting their inaction; they should rise to the urgency of the matter   and take up their responsibility.”