FG ‘committed’ to prosecuting perpetrators of extrajudicial killings

The federal government has expressed commitment to addressing all forms of extrajudicial executions in the country.

Clement Aduku, spokesperson of the foreign affairs ministry, quoted Olusola Enikanolaye, the permanent secretary, as making the commitment while speaking at UN human rights council’s 35th regular session on Wednesday in Geneva.

The permanent secretary said Nigeria would continue to train the police and other security agencies to enhance their duty of care and protection.

Enikanolaiye said state governments should put in place measures that would uphold right to life and prevent impunity by the security agencies.

“Where they seldom occur, the Nigerian government is committed to full investigations and where necessary, prosecution of perpetrators so as to serve as deterrence to others,” he said.

“This serves as good example, among many initiatives, put in place by the Nigerian government. We, therefore, call upon state governments to put necessary mechanisms in place to uphold the right to life and prevent impunity by police and other security agents.

“We share the view of the Special Rapporteur that arbitrary deprivation of life is bound to result from systemic discrimination. This condition needs to be improved to enable all people to enjoy equal rights to life.

“Similarly, deprivation of basic conditions that guarantee life, such as access to essential health care, could be considered a violation of the right to life. The Nigerian constitution upholds every person’s right to life.”

He told the audience that the ongoing review of the methods of operation of the security agencies and the administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 are some of the attempts aimed at addressing the issue.

Enikanolaye stated that the right to peaceful assembly and association were rights guaranteed under the constitution and other domestic laws.

“We agree with the Special Rapporteur that the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association are essential components of democracy,” he said.

“On the right to education, Nigeria further notes the Special Rapporteur’s Report and holds the view that in general, education is an indispensable attribute of any modern and progressive society.”