*As SCLD seeks prosecution of perpetrators
Alex Enumah in Abuja
The Solicitor General of the Federation (SGF) and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, on Monday challenged the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Service (DSS) and other law enforcement agencies in the country to, “continue to take measures in combating torture in all their detention centers”.
The SGF also urged that security operatives and other officers of the law must at all times adhere unequivocally to the notion that torture is unacceptable.
She was speaking at an event organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the National Committee against Torture (NCAT), to commemorate the 2023 International Day for Victims of Torture.
Represented by the Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation, Ministry of Justice, Mr Mohammed Babadoko, Esq, the SGF admonished the law enforcement agencies, “to continue to give the NCAT necessary support whenever they reach out as every action taken by the Committee is with a view to rooting out torture and ensuring that Nigeria complies with its international obligations.
“We are indeed partners in this journey and the NCAT will take deliberate proactive steps to sensitize, engage and train our officers on prevention of torture”.
The SGF however observed that the occasion provides an opportunity to also express solidarity with the suffering of torture victims and their families, and to reaffirm the need for a global commitment to rehabilitate all victims of all such abuse.
In a related development, the Sterling Centre for Law and Development (SCLD), while acknowledging government’s efforts at eradicating torture through the passage of the Anti-Torture Act, observed that the mere existence of this legislation will not end torture.
The civil society group in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Deji Ajare, pointed out that “true progress lies in strategic implementation”, without which he said torture will persist.
“We therefore call on all stakeholders, including the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Federal Government, the heads of the law enforcement agencies, the Judiciary, and civil society organizations, to take the following steps to contribute to the better implementation of the Act and the eventual eradication of torture in Nigeria:
• Strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute torture cases.
“This includes providing training on the Anti-Torture Act, as well as ensuring that there are adequate resources available to investigate and prosecute cases”.
Other steps he suggested include the; establishment of a national torture prevention mechanism; provision of adequate protection for victims of torture; raising public awareness of the Anti-Torture Act and the rights of victims of torture, amongst others.
Besides, the centre called on the Judiciary to fast-track the adjudication of torture-related cases to ensure justice for victims and deter potential perpetrators by the creation of specialized courts or designated judges to handle torture cases, promoting expertise and consistency in judgments and providing training opportunities for judges and magistrates on international human rights standards and the Anti-Torture Act.
“We believe that by taking these steps, we can make Nigeria a country where torture is no longer tolerated. We call on all stakeholders to join us in this fight”, he added.
