Human rights abuses by army: Presidential Panel begins sitting in Lagos

The Presidential Investigation Panel
instituted to review compliance of the
Armed Forces with human rights
obligations and rules of engagement on
Tuesday began sitting at Ikeja High
Court in Lagos.
The seven presidential investigation
panels were inaugurated by the Vice-
President Yemi Osinbajo on Aug. 11 as
Acting President.
The panels will be sitting in the six
geopolitical zones of the country on
various dates from Sept. 11 to Nov. 3
with the Southwest Panel sitting in
Lagos from Oct. 23 to Oct. 26.
It is to hear at least six petitions of
alleged human rights abuses brought
against the Armed Forces by various
individuals.
The panel’s terms of reference are to
review extant rules of engagement
applicable in the Armed Forces of
Nigeria and extent of compliance
thereto.
Also, it is to investigate alleged acts of
violation of international humanitarian
and human rights law under the 1999
Constitution of Nigeria, Geneva
Convention Act, African Charter on
Human and Peoples’ Rights and other
relevant laws by the Armed Forces in
local conflicts and insurgencies.
It is also to investigate matters of
conduct and discipline in the armed
forces in local conflicts and insurgencies
and recommend means of preventing
violations of international humanitarian
and human rights law in conflict
situation.
They are also expected to make further
recommendations in line with the terms
of reference as may be deemed
necessary.
The eight-man panel headed by Justice
Biobele Georgewill of the Court of
Appeal include retired Maj.-Gen. Patrick
Akem, Mr. Olawale Fapohunda and Prof.
Hauwa Ibrahim.
Others are Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, Mrs.
Ifeoma Nwakama, Mr. Abba Ibrahim and
Mr Adamu Abdulkadir.