FG URGE JUDGES TO ENSURE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF ANTI-TORTURE LAW

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Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General of the Federation, has urged the nation’s judges and prosecutors to guarantee the Anti-Torture Act’s full implementation in 2017.

Beatrice spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at a training for judges and prosecutors hosted by the Sterling Law Centre. Mrs. Roseline Tasha represented Beatrice at the event.

She pointed out that the Act’s implementation has not yet caught up to the reality it promotes.

Beatrice warned the attendees to speak out against the nation’s violations of human rights.

“I encourage each one of you to actively engage, share your thoughts, and provide invaluable insights during the course of this workshop. Let this be a space for candid dialogue, constructive criticism, and, most importantly, the formulation of practical strategies to bridge the implementation gap,” she charged.

The “United Nations Treaty Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,” which forbids torturing suspects in order to get information or subjugate them, has been ratified by Nigeria since 1975.

Every person has the right to respect for their dignity, as stated in Section 34 of the Nigerian Constitution. As a result, (a) no one shall be the victim of torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

In order to outlaw torture and other cruel treatments, the Anti-Torture Act was created. Nonetheless, a large number of citizens of the nation have suffered cruel treatment at the hands of security personnel.

“This legislation, born out of our collective commitment to human rights, stands as a testament to our pledge to eradicate the scourge of torture from our society,” she said.

Additionally, the Anti-Torture Act has not yet been effectively implemented, according to Chief Anthony Okechukwu, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, who was represented by Mr. Kabir Elayo, in his goodwill message.

“The Anti-Torture Act, with its noble intent and commitment to the eradication of torture, stands as a testament to our collective dedication to upholding human rights.

” However, as we gather here today, it is essential to confront a stark reality—the beautiful platitudes of the Act have not yet translated into the impactful implementation we envisioned,” he said.

In his recommendation, the Country Director, Amnesty International, Mr. Isah Sanusi encouraged the government to put effective training and framework in place for investigations by security operatives.

“Training and framework for investigations should be put in place. The security agencies should use modern and sophisticated methods to get information from suspects,” he said.

Additionally, he urged those subjected to this kind of torture to record and document the procedures used in their torment in order to devise a defence mechanism for themselves.

The Anti-Torture Act must account for the fact that, in addition to security personnel engaged in torture, prisoners also commit acts of torture, according to former Federal High Court judge Honourable Justice Ibrahim Bubba. Additionally, he said that in order to find proof of torture during trials, judges and prosecutors must examine confessional statements and question the testimonies.

“Let us thoroughly interrogate confessional statements when they are presented before us as prosecutors. For instance, why will a sane man deny an act five times and all of a sudden admit to the crime? he stated.

He encouraged the prosecutors and judges to carry out trial within trial to ensure that victims of torture standing trials in court get the needed justice.

He also advocated for citizens’ education in the justice system.

“The citizens should be educated and informed on their rights,” he said.