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Ojukwu, NHRC boss makes case for victims, families of disappeared persons
The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has called on stakeholders the government , citizens and all stakeholders, to work in synergy to improve on human rights and humanitarian support to persons in difficult situations as a result of conflicts, natural disaster, migration and general insecurity.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN stated this on the eve of the celebration of this year’s International Day for the Disappeared and noted that there is need to keep tabs with the number of persons that go missing in Nigeria so as to follow up with their families and bring closure to such families.
According to the learned Silk, Nigeria recorded a high number of missing persons in the aftermath of insurgency in North East Nigeria which peaked around 2014, 2015 and 2016 with many persons including women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities unaccounted for till date.
Obinna Nwakonye, Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages at the NHRC, in a statement sent to Nationwide Reports, quoted Dr. Ojukwu to have said that- “While the North East Nigeria uprising seems to have reduced substantially, other forms of insecurity including banditry, kidnapping, farmers/herders clashes, among others have triggered unpleasant situations that predispose unsuspecting Citizens to torture , inhuman and degrading treatment, forced/irregular migration which sometimes result in missing persons’ syndrome.”
It will be recalled that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) stated in 2016, that, “The fate of loved ones during times of armed conflict and violence has continued to cause untold suffering and anguish for many globally.
Ojukwu said that- “The right of families to know the fate of one who goes missing is enshrined in International Humanitarian and Human Rights Laws and should be respected by governments through the creation and enforcement of laws that prevent such disappearances”.
The Executive Secretary also recalled that the Commission had in 2016 organised a National Dialogue which prompted discussions and improved people’s understanding of the issues on the disappeared and proffered recommendations that will promote the work of the National Technical Committee on the Establishment and Management of the Database on Missing Persons in Nigeria (NTC).
The International Day for the Disappeared is held annually on 30th August to pay attention to the number of persons who are missing as a result of migration, conflict, disaster, etc to identify and show solidarity to their loved ones.
News
Supreme Court to rule on ADC, PDP cases Thursday
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
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.
News
Breaking: EFCC investigates Pastor Jerry Eze over alleged money laundering
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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