ASF France seeks collaboration against torture, holds advocacy visits in Ogun

To expand its impact and ensure more Nigerians benefit from its intervention, Avocats Sans Frontières France (Lawyers without Borders France), has launched the Promoting the United Nations Convention Against Torture (ProCAT) Project in Ogun State.

The project supported by United Nations Fund for Victims of Torture (UNFVT) is targeted at addressing human rights violations of torture and putting an end to the systemic menace.

During the advocacy visits to key stakeholders held in the state from April 5-8, stakeholders visited Ogun State Commissioner of Police, the State’s Attorney General and Honorable Commissioner for Justice, Ogun State Chief Judge, the Nigerian Correctional Service and the Nigerian Correctional Service Borstal Home, the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)in Ogun State.

Speaking during the visits, Country Director of ASF France in Nigeria, Mrs. Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, stressed the need for continued partnership and collaboration to put an end to torture.

She highlighted the progress of the ProCAT project in other states and plans for the project in Ogun State.

The ProCAT Case Law Manager, Mrs. Edugie Amihere and the ProCAT Support Lawyer Ogun State, Mr. Daniel Shangotola, also formed part of the delegation.

The stakeholders in return assured the ProCAT delegation of their support towards putting an end to torture in the state as well as successful legal redress for victims of torture.

The ProCAT project intervention in Ogun State will represent victims of torture as earmarked in the overall projection of 85 legal aid beneficiaries for 2022.

The project will commence full implementation in the state by stigmatising torture and enhancing access to justice for torture victims in the state.