FG, Others Canvass Sterner Actions Against Torture, Perpetrators

Solicitor General of the Federation (SGF) and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, has tasked Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi; Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun and heads of relevant agencies and stakeholders on torture and degrading treatment.

Charging the security heads to show zero tolerance for cruelty and other debasing conduct in her goodwill message to mark the 2023 International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, yesterday in Abuja, Jeddy-Agba sued for concerted efforts to rid Nigeria of the menace.

The SGF, who doubles as chairman of the National Committee Against Torture (NCAT), acknowledged that steps have been taken by the Federal Government towards eradicating brutality through creation of the panel and assent to several international instruments.

On his part, Director General of Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar, pointed out that for torture to be eliminated, perpetrators have to be punished.

According to him, until those involved in acts of cruelty are brought to book, the situation would persist.

For Executive Director of Prisoners Rehabilitation & Welfare Action (PRAWA), Dr. Uju Agomo, there is need to critically review national preventive measures and mechanisms.

Agomo, in the lecture, titled, ‘International Obligations of Nigeria on Torture Preventions’, while making case for independence of institutions, added it is when adequate funding is available for the crusade that Nigeria could be taken seriously in the fight against inhuman treatment.

She noted that in terms of legal framework, the country is standing on the part of those against torture, but regretted that the mechanisms to regularly review the process are not in place.