Senior lawyers in the country on Tuesday warned that Nigeria risked being sanctioned by the United Nations if human rights abuses in the country continued, especially in the case of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The UN had in a letter to the federal government and the Kenyan government warned of dire consequences if allegations of torture were confirmed in the arrest and trial of the IPOB leader. Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), reacting to the UN’s letter, said based on the fact that Nigeria is a signatory to UN conventions, the UN could intervene when necessary.
According to him, based on international laws, the UN declaration of human rights of 1948 applies to all countries of the world without exemption. He also said there is what is called the international covenant on civil and political rights, and the international covenant on economic and social rights. He said, ‘’These two covenants are being domesticated by the Nigeria Government and made laws for the federation. There is also an African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, which also has similar provisions. ‘’By the laws, no state should torture any individual, so, where a state is a signatory to such international covenant and deviated, surely, the United Nations has the duty, obligation and capacity to call the state or nation to order.
‘’If the state becomes bigheaded, the UN can impose sanctions on such a state. The sanctions could be expanded, while some could be limited.’’ Another senior advocate, Abdul Balogun, accused the federal government of being notorious for human rights abuses. He said the move by the UN to weigh in on the Kanu matter was a right step in the right direction. Constitutional lawyer, Paul Omoluabi, said countries that were signatories to UN conventions were accountable for rights abuses. According to him, impunity is not tolerated for the worst human rights violations. Omoluabi stated, ‘’Going by the ratification of the United Nations regulations on Human Rights Conventions, Nigeria as a member is expected to strictly observe the articles of the United Nations that were ratified.
‘’The UN supports human rights and they ensure countries that are signatories to the conventions are accountable for any likely abuse or abuse of human rights. Impunity is not tolerated for the worst human rights violations. ‘’It is important to note that where there is likely going to be conflict of laws between the UN Conventions and the Nigerian constitution, the Supreme Court has long settled the position that any law that is inconsistent with the provisions of the constitution shall be null and void. ‘’’In the instant issue, it is obvious there is no conflict yet but the UN is asserting its position and reminding countries who are signatories to its conventions to be guided by the conventions.’’