LEDAP alerts of daily reports of torture by security agencies in Nigeria

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(Nigeria) Legal Defence and Assistance Project, LEDAP, has alerted that “there are daily reports of torture of suspects by police, military and other law enforcement agencies in the country,” as it joined  the United Nations and the world to commemorate the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
LEDAP National Coordinator, Mr Chino Obiagwu in a statement on Tuesday, said “On this auspicious occasion, LEDAP uses this medium to commend the National Assembly of Nigeria for the adoption of the Anti-Torture Act, 2017.
“The Act criminalizes torture by the police and other law enforcement agencies; therefore we call on all concerned institutions to see to its full implementation. We also call on the  Attorney General of the Federation to develop appropriate guidelines for effective implementation as mandated by sections 10 &12 of the Act.
“In Nigeria, there are daily reports of torture of suspects by police, military and other law enforcement agencies. These everyday law enforcement practices are in many cases not in accordance with the constitutional provision prohibiting torture yet the perpetrators are not prosecuted and victims are unable to seek redress.
“ LEDAP also uses this medium to call on the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, National Committee Against Torture, NCAT and Civil Society organisations, CSOs, to document incidents of torture and demand prosecution of offenders in line with the provisions of the Anti-Torture Act.
“Torture is a criminal offence punishable by law and LEDAP is in partnership with United Nations Democracy Fund, UNDEF and NCAT to seek ways to reduce incidents of torture and improve access to redress for victims through an ongoing project titled "Community Mobilization Against Torture in Nigeria.
“In observance of the International Day in Support of victims of torture, LEDAP in partnership with NCAT and NHRC is set to launch a torture prevention campaign and an anti-torture awareness walk in the Federal capital territory Abuja to lend its voice against the crime of torture and also render support to torture victims and survivors all over the world.”

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