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FG pledges better funding, operational support for NHRC to enhance human rights work
The federal government has pledged to review upward, funds allocation to the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, to enable it continue its fight against human rights abuses and other related services to the nation.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN made the pledge on Wednesday in Abuja when the management team of NHRC paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN who led the management team for the visit, sought the support of the federal government to strengthen the Commission’s efforts in the promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights in Nigeria.
According to a statement signed by the Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages Department of the NHRC, Agharese Arase, during the visit, Dr. Ojukwu provided a comprehensive overview of the NHRC’s history, mandate, functions, powers, organizational structure, and management since its inception. He discussed the Commission’s growth, the challenges it has faced, and its struggle for independence in recent years.
The Chief Executive Officer of the NHRC emphasized the Commission’s role in holding government accountable for policies and laws that promote human rights while mitigating human rights violations in the country. He highlighted several key issues in the Commission as follows:
Governing Council Appointments: The Human Rights Boss stressed the need for the appointment and removal of governing council members to be of paramount importance, with consideration given to the tenures of office of members of the Council.
Financial Constraints: Dr. Ojukwu lamented that the Commission faces significant financial constraints which can hinder its operational independence if not adequately addressed. “Lack of transportation for state offices to carry out investigations and inadequate equipment/infrastructure to work with, are few examples” he added.
Staffing Challenges: The Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria expressed concerns about its 13 departments, 36 state offices, and a staff strength of 900 individuals. He recalled that a high weekly resignation of staff has posed a major challenge to the Commission, leading to a need to recruit more staff to strengthen the state offices.
Budgetary Allocations: According to the Executive Secretary, Commission’s limited budgetary allocations significantly impact its ability to handle a minimum of 2 million complaints per annum. He said the absence of a funded Human Rights fund by the federal, state, or local governments has been a long-standing concern since 2010.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Ojukwu also highlighted some significant achievements, including the thorough investigation and resolution of 1,640,018 complaints. Notable compensations include 350 million naira to the families of eight victims of the APO killings (Okada riders) by the Department of State Services in 2013 and 450 million naira in compensation paid to victims of the END SARS protests by the Commission.
Responding to these concerns, AGF Mr. Lateef Fagbemi assured that the present administration has prioritized the National Human Rights Commission as an institution that could ensure peace, stability and the respect for and human rights in the country.
The Minister acknowledged the financial hardships confronting the Commission urging for patience while the government addresses their needs, particularly with respect to acquiring vehicles.
The Hon.Minister expressed his satisfaction with the Commission’s independence and its commendable commitment to non-interference from the government and other bodies.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.
“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.
He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.
“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.
The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.
He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.
The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.
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