Public policy analyst, Sesugh Akume, has filed a complaint against the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), its Executive Secretary, Anthony Okechukwu Ojukwu, SAN, and its Governing Council Chairman, Dr. Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman, over their alleged failure to respond to reported atrocities by the Nigerian military in Benue State….READ FULL ARTICLE...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE ▶▶
The complaint, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1135/2024, was filed on 8 August 2024 and the defendants reportedly received the legal process on 14 August 2024.
Akume’s trial stems from an incident on March 7, 2023, in which operatives of the joint military operation “Operation Whirl Stroke” allegedly attacked Jootar community in Sankera, Benue, resulting in the death of Mr Iniongo Verve, serious injuries to Mr Aondowase Abeda and the theft of nearly 100 motorcycles.
The incident was widely reported by the Ayatutu Cultural and Social Development Initiative (AYACASODI), a socio-cultural lobby group.
Akume reported the matter to the NHRC on March 31, 2023. Preliminary investigations were carried out by the NHRC office in Benue, which gathered evidence and submitted it to the Abuja headquarters.
However, the NHRC later informed Akume that the matter had been referred to the military for investigation, a decision Akume found unacceptable.
Despite repeated appeals to the NHRC and other relevant authorities, Akume says his concerns were ignored, leading him to seek legal redress.
He is asking the court to compel the NHRC to conclude its investigation, apologize and compensate the victims, and return or replace the stolen motorcycles.
Akume is also seeking damages for the trauma and stress he suffered as a result of the NHRC’s handling of the case.
The case is scheduled to begin on September 12, 2024 before Justice PO Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja….READ FULL ARTICLE
