FG Urges MDAs To Support National Action Plan On Human Rights.
The Federal Government has called on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), along with other stakeholders, to fulfil their roles in implementing the National Action Plan (NAP) on human rights.
At an inter-agency consultative workshop on the NAP’s implementation, the Nigeria Police Service Commission (NPSC) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) pledged to end the public parading of criminal suspects.
Speaking at the event, NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr Tony Ojukwu (SAN), stressed that the initiative aims to enhance human rights enforcement in line with both national and international standards.
“We are going to commence a campaign against the parade of suspects soon,” he stated, adding that the framework serves as a roadmap for improving human rights compliance in Nigeria.
The workshop, which brought together stakeholders from various sectors, focused on clarifying the implementation structure of the NAP and defining the responsibilities of each institution.
Commitment to Human Rights Protection
The Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, Mudashiru Lukman, speaking on behalf of Chairman Abiola Peter Makandi, expressed gratitude to foreign partners supporting Nigeria’s human rights development.
“We must stand against unfairness and call for collective improvement to ensure justice and respect for all,” he said.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Hashimu Argungu, reiterated the commission’s commitment to upholding human rights, particularly opposing the public display of suspects.
“Parading suspects is against the law. We must campaign against this,” he asserted. He also highlighted concerns over judicial corruption, questioning how some officials, particularly civil servants, could afford expensive properties in high-end areas like Maitama, Abuja, to act as sureties.
Call for Legal Reforms
The Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Dr Clement Nwankwo, commended the National Assembly’s Human Rights Committee for advancing human rights reforms. He noted that while amendments to criminal laws are in progress, some police officers still justify parading suspects under the pretext of arms seizures.
“Democracy is about human rights, but the power to remove elected leaders arbitrarily is not. When President Tinubu or any authority removes an elected leader, we must stand up to condemn it,” he declared.
Senior Human Rights Adviser to the NHRC, Hilary Ogbonna, highlighted the need for effective legal reforms to strengthen human rights protection in Nigeria.
“You cannot achieve the right to life when hospitals lack essential medicines,” he pointed out, stressing that national progress requires structured coordination, political will, and institutional commitment.
International Support for Human Rights
The Deputy British High Commissioner, Gill Lever, commended Nigeria’s commitment to human rights and affirmed the UK’s readiness to collaborate on the NAP’s implementation.
“Human rights should not be aspirational; leaders must be held accountable,” she stated, emphasising that fundamental freedoms are the cornerstone of every progressive society.
The workshop reinforced the government’s dedication to institutionalising human rights reforms. Stakeholders agreed on the urgent need for practical measures to safeguard fundamental freedoms and dignity in Nigeria.
The event was organised by the NHRC in partnership with the Policy and Advocacy Centre and UK International Development.