NEWS RELEASE

NBA Human Rights Institute Calls for Enforcement of Detainees’ Rights Under the ACJA

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Human Rights Institute, led by the First Vice President of the NBA, Sabastine Anyia, Esq., along with Bolatunmi Animashaun and Zainab Aminu, hereby call on the Vice Chairmen of all NBA branches to rise to the task of ensuring that the Chief Judges of their respective states carry out their statutory oversight responsibilities as clearly provided under Section 34 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

The section mandates that Chief Judges must assign Judges and Magistrates to visit detention facilities, including police cells and correctional centres, at least once a month. The objective is to review cases of persons held in custody, especially those in unlawful detention or awaiting trial. This mechanism is a vital safeguard against abuse and is essential to protecting the fundamental rights of citizens.

In addition, we draw attention to Section 32(1) of the ACJA, which mandates that any person arrested must be brought before a court of law within 24 hours, or be released. It is imperative that once Human Rights Committees at the branch level become aware of a person being detained beyond this constitutional period, they must promptly intervene and take necessary action.

We are deeply saddened by the increasing number of Nigerians being dumped in prisons without trial, often without the knowledge of their families. Of greater concern is the detention of children—a direct affront to child rights. We ask: Are the rights of children no longer considered part of human rights in Nigeria? Even more worrisome is the growing trend of magistrates remanding minors into prison custody. In some cases, when prison officials rightly refuse to admit children, magistrates resort to returning them to police custody—an unacceptable practice that must be condemned and corrected immediately.

We are also alarmed by the abuse of police powers by individuals of influence, especially in cases involving land disputes. The police are increasingly being used as tools of intimidation and oppression, with some detaining individuals unlawfully until construction is completed on disputed lands. This abuse undermines public trust in the judiciary and has created room for non-state actors, such as “VeryDarkMan” and Brekete Radio, to emerge as alternative voices of justice for the masses.

The NBA Human Rights Institute calls on all NBA Vice Chairmen to understand that they carry enormous responsibility under the law. If the provisions under the ACJA are diligently implemented, the ordinary Nigerian will be better protected, and faith in our legal system will be restored.

We also urge compliance with Section 29 of the ACJA 2015, which mandates the Inspector-General of Police and heads of other law enforcement agencies to submit quarterly reports to the Attorney General of the Federation detailing all arrests made. This is a crucial step toward ensuring transparency, accountability, and the rule of law in our justice system.

It is time to return to our laws and uphold the rights of all Nigerians—children and adults alike—without discrimination or delay.

The new NBA HRI Task Force include:

EASTERN REGION
1. Mr. Gabriel Ezekwe – Chairman.
2. Mr. Emmanuel Mkpo – Secretary.
3. Ms Mary Etim – Member
4. Mr. Ike Augustine – Member.
5. Mr. Josephat Omeke – Member
6. Eunice Iwuagwu – Member

WESTERN REGION
1. Esther Jimoh – Chairman
2. Philip Okprike – Secretary
3. ⁠Ngozi Ikpeoma – Member
4. ⁠Bolanle Scholastica Ojo – Member
5. ⁠Princess Iyomo – Member
6. Cyril Ebeh – Member.

NORTHERN REGION
1. Dr. Muhammad Tukur Jubril – Chairman
2. Nyom Benjamin Bem – Secretary
3. Hauwa Abbas – Member.
4. Muhammed Umaru – Member
5. Dr. Lateefat Bello – Member
6. Hajarat Titilope Gbolagade – Member

With kind regards from all of us.

Signed:

Sabastine Anyia Esq.
1st Vice President/ Chairman NBA-HRI.

Bolatunmi Animasaun
2nd Vice President/ Alternate Chairman NBA-HRI.

Zainab Aminu Garba
3rd Vice President/ Secretary
NBA-HRI.