Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has finally set up a commission to investigate alleged human rights abuses by the military following a torrent of scathing, damning report by the civil society organization, Int’l Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety) .
Elombah.com had published a four-part damning report by the organization listing gross abuses of human rights in Nigeria and associated heinous crimes especially since 29th May 2015 when the sixth central civilian government which he now heads in acting capacity came on board.
For easy public reading, comprehension and analysis, the memo was segmented with its first, second, third and fourth parts published on 29th June, 1st, 3rd and 5th July, 2017.as follows:
1. Intersociety Bombards Osinbajo With List Of Gross Human Rights Abuses In Nigeria
2. Public Interest Memo On Commission Of Heinous Crimes
3. Intersociety Floods Osinbajo With More Gross Human Rights Abuses Facts
4. Osinbajo Bombarded With Facts Of Gross Human Rights Abuses In Nigeria
Despite reports by local and international groups and media accusing the military of rights abuse in several operations, the government had largely left the military to investigate itself and thus clear itself of the allegations.
On Friday, however, the presidency released a statement announcing the establishment of a judicial commission of enquiry.
“Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has appointed a 7-man Judicial Commission, headed by Justice Biobele A. Georgewill, of the Court of Appeal, to review compliance of the Nigerian Armed Forces with human rights obligations and rules of engagement, especially in local conflict and insurgency situations,” a statement by Osinbajo’s spokesperson, Laolu Akande, said.
In his statement on Friday, Akande said the presidential committee “is empowered to review extant rules of engagement applicable in the Nigerian Armed Forces, and the extent of compliance thereto.”
“It is also empowered to investigate alleged acts of violation, (by Nigerian security agencies) of international humanitarian and human rights law under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Geneva Conventions Act, African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act and other relevant laws,” he said.
Akande added that the “the commission equally has a mandate to investigate factors that might be militating against a speedy resolution of local conflicts and insurgencies and also advise on means of preventing violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in conflict situations.”
He listed members of the judicial commission to include Mr. Georgewill as Chairman; and Patrick Akem, a major general, as member.
Other members are Wale Fapohunda, Hauwa Ibrahim, Jibrin Ibrahim, Ifeoma Nwakama, and a representative of Office of National Security Adviser.
“The Commission is expected to commence work immediately and submit its report within 90 days,” Akande said.
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