Tony Ojukwu, the executive secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), shed light on the Commission’s efforts to combat human rights abuses in Nigeria in a recent interview with The Guardian. He addressed the challenges in providing access to justice, particularly for indigent Nigerians. He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to develop more comprehensive strategies to tackle inflation, underemployment, security, and social inequality.
Expressing concern over the limited reach of justice in Nigeria, Ojukwu pointed out that while the constitution provides for legal assistance to those unable to afford it, the current system falls short. He mentioned that organizations like the Legal Aid Council, NHRC, and Ministries of Justice have established offices for public defenders, but these are insufficient to meet the widespread need.
To bridge this gap, the NHRC has set up a toll-free number for people to lodge complaints and seek legal advice or further action. Ojukwu highlighted the NHRC Act’s provision for a human rights fund, currently a work in progress, emphasizing the need for state government support.
Regarding Nigeria’s membership in the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), Ojukwu sees it as a platform to challenge Nigerian leadership to uphold human rights standards. The membership provides an advocacy tool and a chance to bring international perspectives and development partners to Nigerian civil society efforts.
According to a report by The Guardian, Ojukwu also discussed Nigeria’s ratification of the AU Charter on Persons with Disabilities and the AU Charter on the Rights of Older Persons. The NHRC plans to collaborate with various Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs) and civil society organizations to ensure the successful implementation of these charters.
Finally, addressing the delays in the Special Independent Investigative Panel (SIIP) on Human Rights Violations during counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast, Ojukwu explained the complexities and challenges of such investigations. He assured that despite the time taken, the panel is committed to thorough and satisfactory work.
