Torture, Extra- Judicial Killings Are Crimes Against Humanity, FG Warns Security Agencies

The Federal Government has enjoined stakeholders to renew their
commitment to abhor torture; extra-judicial killings as the country
commemorate the 2021United Nations International Day in Support of
Victims of Torture.

The government also charged Nigerians to adhere to the tenets of
the rule of law, describing torture as crime against humanity.

Earlier, a rally to commemorate the event kicked off at the
Unity fountain with inscriptions like; ‘Torture is inhuman’ ‘Say no
to extra judicial killings’ and more.

Giving the admonition on Thursday at a press briefing, the
Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary Federal
Ministry of Justice, Dayo Apata, SAN told stakeholders to ensure
the provision of the Anti-Torture Act find its full implementation
in the country.

“It is pertinent to note that this global event is celebrated
yearly on the 26th day of June but for technical/safety reasons, it
is slated to be marked today to remind everyone that torture,
inhuman or degrading treatement universally is a crime against
humanity,” Apata noted.

While reiterating further, Apata noted that government has
carried out requisite campaign to all security agencies and are
fully equipped to bring the scourge to an end.

Part of the measures in place according to him could be seen in
the Anti-Torture Act, 2017 which was passed by the 8th Senate and
signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on the 29th December,
2017.

“This therefore stands out as an outstanding legislation with a
sole objective to prohibit punishment, torture and other forms of
cruel, inhuman or degrading treatments in Nigeria even if they are
on death rows.

“Furthermore, Section 34 of the CFRN, 1999 (as amended) provides
that every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his
person and should not be subjected to any forms of torture or
degrading treatment,” the SGF added.

While reminding stakeholders that human rights has been
globalized, he cited Nigeria being a signatory to the African
Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, (UDHR), saying the federal
government has gone further to established national preventive
mechanism for its implementation.

In a brief remarks, the Chairman National Committee on Torture,
Dr. Samson Ameh told newsmen that collaborations with sister
agencies and security agencies has yielded positive result over the
years.

“There were reports from Abuja, Bayelsa State and a host of
others and we are on top of it,” Ameh said.

The Federal Government has enjoined stakeholders to renew their
commitment to abhor torture; extra-judicial killings as the country
commemorate the 2021United Nations International Day in Support of
Victims of Torture.

The government also charged Nigerians to adhere to the tenets of
the rule of law, describing torture as crime against humanity.

Earlier, a rally to commemorate the event kicked off at the
Unity fountain with inscriptions like; ‘Torture is inhuman’ ‘Say no
to extra judicial killings’ and more.

Giving the admonition on Thursday at a press briefing, the
Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary Federal
Ministry of Justice, Dayo Apata, SAN told stakeholders to ensure
the provision of the Anti-Torture Act find its full implementation
in the country.

“It is pertinent to note that this global event is celebrated
yearly on the 26th day of June but for technical/safety reasons, it
is slated to be marked today to remind everyone that torture,
inhuman or degrading treatement universally is a crime against
humanity,” Apata noted.

While reiterating further, Apata noted that government has
carried out requisite campaign to all security agencies and are
fully equipped to bring the scourge to an end.

Part of the measures in place according to him could be seen in
the Anti-Torture Act, 2017 which was passed by the 8th Senate and
signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on the 29th December,
2017.

“This therefore stands out as an outstanding legislation with a
sole objective to prohibit punishment, torture and other forms of
cruel, inhuman or degrading treatments in Nigeria even if they are
on death rows.

“Furthermore, Section 34 of the CFRN, 1999 (as amended) provides
that every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his
person and should not be subjected to any forms of torture or
degrading treatment,” the SGF added.

While reminding stakeholders that human rights has been
globalized, he cited Nigeria being a signatory to the African
Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, (UDHR), saying the federal
government has gone further to established national preventive
mechanism for its implementation.

In a brief remarks, the Chairman National Committee on Torture,
Dr. Samson Ameh told newsmen that collaborations with sister
agencies and security agencies has yielded positive result over the
years.

“There were reports from Abuja, Bayelsa State and a host of
others and we are on top of it,” Ameh said.