By Albert Akota
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has set up special panel to investigate the military over an alleged involvement of its officers in secret abortion in North East.
While inaugurating the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter-Insurgency Operations in North-East Nigeria (SIIP North East) yesterday in Abuja, Chief Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the Commission, commended Justice Abdu Aboki, retired Justice of the Supreme Court and all the members of the Panel for their willingness to serve Nigeria in that capacity.
“We are here today to present to the public, the Chairman and members of this panel whose terms of reference I will now have the honour of enumerating as follows, Investigate allegations of gross violations of national and international human rights laws/principles alleged against the Nigerian Armed Forces in the three reports by Reuters. (Sections 5(a)(b)(j) and 6(1)(a) of the NHRC Act, 2010).”
The memorandum was from individuals and organisations with interest in the subject matter of the mandate of the SIIP North-East, especially human rights, security and humanitarian organisations working in the North-East.
He urged them to make appropriate determinations as to culpability of individuals or institutions as may be deemed necessary in each circumstance.
“Make determination as to the damages or compensation payable in relation to any violation of human rights where it deems this necessary in the circumstances of the case.”
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