The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating torture and upholding human rights across all detention and law enforcement institutions, in line with both domestic laws and international obligations.
Delivering a keynote address yesterday at a sensitisation workshop organised for law enforcement agencies in Abuja, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mrs. B.E. Jedy-Agba, underscored the urgent need for institutional reforms to end torture and inhumane treatment in detention facilities nationwide.
Delivering a keynote address yesterday at a sensitisation workshop organised for law enforcement agencies in Abuja, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mrs. B.E. Jedy-Agba, underscored the urgent need for institutional reforms to end torture and inhumane treatment in detention facilities nationwide.
“This gathering is not merely a formality; it is a testament to our collective resolve to build a more just, humane, and rights-respecting society,” she stated, calling on agencies to embrace the workshop as an opportunity to deepen their understanding of anti-torture principles and obligations under the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT).
Jedy-Agba submitted that torture remains a criminal offence under the country’s Anti-Torture Act of 2017, which mandates all state actors to prevent, investigate, and punish acts of torture.
She reminded participants that the fight against torture is not just moral, but a legal obligation that Nigeria has signed up to under the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) and its Optional Protocol.
Highlighting international concerns, the Solicitor-General referenced the September 2024 visit by the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT), whose preliminary findings flagged poor detention conditions, lack of cooperation from authorities, and a general climate of hostility. She urged immediate corrective measures to ensure full compliance with global human rights standards.
The permanent secretary also reiterated the critical role of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), which operates under the National Human Rights Commission, in conducting regular inspections of detention facilities.
The goal, she said, is not to find fault, but to recommend improvements and safeguard detainees’ rights. To the law enforcement agencies present, Jedy-Agba issued a challenge: “You are the vanguards of this change… Let us see this sensitisation not as a burden, but as an opportunity to reinforce our commitment to excellence, uphold the rule of law, and foster a culture of respect for human rights.”
She also called for active participation, assuring that her ministry will continue to support efforts to align Nigeria’s justice system with both national legislation and international best practices.
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