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NHRC calls for implementation of National Mental Health Act

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As Nigeria joins humanity to mark the World Mental Health Day, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, has called on the government to implement the National Mental Health Act, 2023.

He said the activation of the Act would  enhance realization of Mental Health Rights in Nigeria and called for humane treatment of Persons with Mental Health Conditions, psycho-social or cognitive disabilities – as they also ought to be beneficiaries of Right to Dignity of the Human Person.

In a statement Monday which he personally signed, Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, said that in alliance with other Mental Health advocates, the Commission was at the forefront of advocacy for legislative intervention in the area of mental health in Nigeria. This culminated in the Presidential Assent in January 2023 , to the Mental Health Bill earlier passed into law by the National Assembly in 2021.

The National Mental Health Act, he said,  therefore represents a commitment of government to progressively realize right to health pursuant to its obligation under the International Covenant on Economic , Social and Cultural Rights. Remarkably, the Act reaffirms Mental Health as a Human Right.

Ojukwu said- “This is symbolic having been eloquently re-echoed in the theme for 2023 World Mental Health Day which is “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right’.

“The right to health is all encompassing of the various health components including mental health as acknowledged by World Health Organization and guaranteed by the Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. The constitution also provides for Right to Health in Chapter 2 and there are government efforts to give effect to the right by other domestic legislation such as National Health Act (2014). Furthermore, the UN Convention on “Rights of Persons with Disabilities reaffirms that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

“This includes Mental Disability !

“Having passed the Mental Health Bill into law and subsequent Presidential assent , what next? How have the spirit and letters of the legislation been operationalized ? How available is Mental Health care in the country? How accessible are they? Are they affordable? It needs to be underscored that Availability, Accessibility and Affordability are central to government obligation in relation to all economic, social and cultural rights.
The National Human Rights Commission therefore urges government to take further progressive steps to give effect to the legislation in order to enhance mental health in Nigeria.

“Indeed, Mental Health Rights are Human Rights as the theme of this year’s Global Mental Health Day reinforces. Therefore, besides right to healthcare, other mental health rights include- right to dignity of the human person, and freedom from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment; right to non discrimination and right to life among others.

“In addition to legislative intervention, social advocacy is crucial. Supported by Civil Society Organizations, relevant government Institutions i.e ( Ministry of Information and National Orientation Agency) should be in the fore-front to advance enlightenment regarding mental health and to dispel myths, superstition , ignorance and misconceptions about Mental illness in order to create a climate of understanding and acceptance so that people with psychosocial , cognitive- disabilities or substance abuse problems are meaningfully integrated in families and society; protected from stigma, discrimination, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment such as beating, flogging, chaining among other abusive conduct to which those affected with mental health condition are subjected.”

According to the Chief Human Rights officer in Nigeria, it is also critical for government to urgently scale up measures to address economic and social conditions that affect mental well being of persons in Nigeria so that Nigerians and people in Nigeria will have the appropriate mental health balance to contend with life.

“As we mark the 2023 Global Mental Health Day, these human rights imperatives ought to be on the front burner of government and governance.

“Indeed, mental health rights are human rights,” Dr. Ojukwu stated.

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Supreme Court to rule on ADC, PDP cases Thursday

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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.

 

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Tinubu to reconstitute NHRC board, retains Ojukwu as ES/CEO

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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.

 

 

 

 

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Breaking: EFCC investigates Pastor Jerry Eze over alleged money laundering

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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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