The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has described Nigeria’s National Action Plan (NAP) for the promotion and protection of human rights as a transformative policy document that deserves full support from stakeholders.
Speaking at an Inter-Agency Consultative Workshop in Abuja, NHRC Executive Secretary Dr. Tony Ojukwu, emphasized that the NAP is a comprehensive framework that aimed to address human rights gaps, promote protection, and ensure compliance with national and international human rights standards.
Dr. Ojukwu commended the Federal Government for adopting the NAP and allowing NHRC to serve as the secretariat, ensuring effective coordination of its implementation. He also appreciated support from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Development, and Commonwealth Office and the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) for their contributions to the workshop.
In a related development, Dr. Ojukwu strongly condemned the practice of parading criminal suspects by law enforcement agencies before they are tried in court.
He stated that such actions violated constitutional rights and undermine the presumption of innocence principle.
“It is only a court of competent jurisdiction that has the power to declare someone guilty of an offense. Parading suspects before trial may create a false perception of guilt, which contradicts the fundamental principles of justice,” he said.
Similarly, Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd.), decried the violation of suspects’ rights through media parades and called for collective efforts to put an end to the practice.
He also criticized certain judicial bail conditions, particularly those required sureties with high-value properties in affluent areas like Maitama, Abuja, which, he argued, are unfair given the economic realities of most Nigerians.
Also speaking at the workshop, Hon. Mudashiru Lukeman, who represented Chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, Hon. Abiola Peter Makinde, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to ensuring fairness and justice in human rights protection.
The Executive Director of PLAC, Dr. Clement Nwankwo, commended the National Assembly’s human rights committees but expressed concerns over continued suspect parades by the police.
Meanwhile, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, praised Nigeria’s commitment to human rights and pledged the UK’s support in implementing the NAP.
“Human rights should not be aspirational. Leaders must be held accountable, as human rights remain the cornerstone of every progressive society,” Lever stated.
The Senior Human Rights Adviser to NHRC, Mr. Hilary Ogbonna, delivered a presentation on the NAP framework, stressing the need for effective legal reforms to enhance human rights protection. He emphasized that human rights are interrelated and should be addressed holistically, citing that the right to life cannot be fully realized without access to healthcare and food.
With the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the NAP in April 2023, stakeholders at the workshop reiterated the need for inter-agency collaboration to strengthen human rights policies and ensure their full implementation.
