The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is the first in the history of Nigeria to actually compensate victims of human rights abuses.
The Commission also stated that no administration in the country has taken seriously, the issue of protection of human rights like the Buhari administration.
These were contained in the speeches by the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN, the Chairperson of the Commission s Governing Council, Hajia Salametu Suleiman and that of the Independent Investigative Panel on on Human Rights Violation by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the NIgeria Police and other related matter, Hillary Ogbonna.
They spoke at the occasion of presentation of Checks to victims, petitioners, relatives and other beneficiaries of compensation approved by President Buhari which took place at the headquarters of the NHRC in Abuja Wednesday.
A total of N289,383,94 was given at the event, paid to 74 beneficiaries, from different categories of abuses. In addition to the N146 million paid out in December 2021, the total compensation in 10 months comes to a total of N431.8 million.
Ojukwu said even though efforts have been made by previous administrations to address human rights issues, President Buhari has given the Commission all necessary support to carry out its statutory responsibilities as well as personally ensured that all promises made to the Commission and the investigative panel are delivered.
The National Human Rights Commission boss said it was gladdening that the process initiated two years ago when the President set up the investigative panel is gradually coming to an end with victims or their relatives getting their compensation.
Ojukwu also thanked Attorney General of the Federation for his commitment to the success of the panel’s assignment.
He apologised on behalf of the government to the victims of the various degrees of human rights violations and abuses and the relatives including families of those that have died.
Among those that spoke at the event include the Chairman of the Investigative Panel, retired Justice Suleiman Galadima and membe