Group tasks AGF on implementation of Anti-torture Act

Advocacy group, Access to Justice (A2J), has urged the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, to make relevant rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the Anti-torture Act 2017.

The group also urged the AGF to collate the records of proceedings of the various EndSARS panels of inquiry and commence prosecution of law enforcement or security agency officials, whether serving or not, found to have tortured their victims, with a view to sending a strong message of “intent” to Nigerians.

In a statement signed by Convener Joseph Otteh and Project Director Deji Ajare to mark the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the group described the Anti-torture Act as mere window dressing, saying no real effort has been made to abolish the use of torture by the Nigerian government.

According to the body, security forces continue to kill arbitrarily and torture persons they arrest within the context of counter-insurgency operations.

A2J said: “Many independent reports confirm Nigerians are still subjected to beatings, extended periods of pre-trial detention, and public parading of crime suspects. The Anti-torture Act specifically designates the parading of crime suspects as ‘torture’ but law enforcement and security institutions continue to publicly parade untried crime suspects nationwide routinely and with impunity.

“In spite of its continued and publicised use, no one has been reported to have been prosecuted under the Anti- torture Act for perpetrating acts of torture. Not even members of notorious units such as the outlawed Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), notwithstanding the many horrendous allegations made against its members, many of which have been substantiated by EndSARS panels of inquiries across state lines.

“Without clear and strong political commitment to enforcing the Anti-torture Act 2017, those bound to apply the Act in their respective spheres of operation will hardly be moved by the prohibitions in the Act, or be disincentivised from practicing acts of torture where there are no costs – such as prosecution – attached to it.”

The group further urged the government to set up appropriate rehabilitation and compensation programmes for all victims of torture.

They also want the government to amend the Sheriff and Civil Process Act 1984 to remove requirements of the Attorney-General’s consent before persons who have successfully won monetary judgments against public institutions, including law enforcement and security institutions, can receive compensation adjudged violations of their rights by courts.

Similarly, Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) called on the government to ensure the effective implementation of the Act.

The group also wants perpetrators of torture and related offences to be prosecuted and penalised appropriately as deterrence to future acts of torture.

In a statement signed by National Coordinator Chino Obiagwu, the body said the use of torture by security agencies is against the principles of international human rights law and our domestic laws.