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Ojukwu: We must not forget missing persons
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN,has urged government and relevant stakeholders, not to forget missing persons but continue in their efforts to find and reconcile them with their families and loved ones.
Dr. Ojukwu stated this, in a statement to commemorate this year’s International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances and expressed deep concern over the rising cases of enforced disappearances, kidnappings, and abductions in Nigeria, describing them as a grave assault on human dignity.
He noted that the alarming trend has left countless families in anguish and uncertainty, with victims’ loved ones facing psychological trauma and prolonged distress.
He emphasized that the incessant wave of insecurity ranging from insurgency, banditry, herder-farmer clashes, separatist violence, and worsening poverty; continues to fuel cases of missing persons across the country.
According to the NHRC boss, enforced disappearances, particularly in the context of security operations, remain a serious concern, stressing that such violations not only undermine human rights but also erode public trust in the state’s ability to protect its citizens.
Quoting relevant international human rights instruments, including the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria reminded the government of its obligation to safeguard the rights to liberty, security, recognition before the law, and freedom from torture and ill-treatment.
“The Commission urged government at all levels to adopt proactive measures to address the root causes of insecurity while strengthening accountability and justice mechanisms” he said. He further called on security agencies to strictly adhere to international human rights standards in their operations and to ensure that perpetrators of kidnappings, abductions, and enforced disappearances are brought to justice.
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NHRC URGES GOVERNMENT TO TACKLE INSECURITY AS NIGERIA MARKS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF VICTIMS OF ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES
As the world commemorates the International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed deep concern over the rising cases of enforced disappearances, kidnappings, and abductions in Nigeria, describing them as a grave assault on human dignity.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr, Tony Ojukwu OFR SAN expressed this concern in his statement to commemorate the day. He noted that the alarming trend has left countless families in anguish and uncertainty, with victims’ loved ones facing psychological trauma and prolonged distress.
He emphasized that the incessant wave of insecurity ranging from insurgency, banditry, herder-farmer clashes, separatist violence, and worsening poverty; continues to fuel cases of missing persons across the country.
According to the NHRC Boss, enforced disappearances, particularly in the context of security operations, remain a serious concern, stressing that such violations not only undermine human rights but also erode public trust in the state’s ability to protect its citizens.
Quoting relevant international human rights instruments, including the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria reminded the government of its obligation to safeguard the rights to liberty, security, recognition before the law, and freedom from torture and ill-treatment.
“The Commission urged government at all levels to adopt proactive measures to address the root causes of insecurity while strengthening accountability and justice mechanisms” he said. He further called on security agencies to strictly adhere to international human rights standards in their operations and to ensure that perpetrators of kidnappings, abductions, and enforced disappearances are brought to justice.
The Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria said, the Commission reaffirms its solidarity with the families of missing persons, pledging continued advocacy and support to uphold the rights of victims. “They may be missing but definitely not forgotten”, he said.
Dr. Ojukwu stated that only through a comprehensive response to insecurity by way of tackling insurgency, banditry, communal violence, separatist agitations, and poverty—can Nigeria reduce the tragic phenomenon of missing persons and restore confidence in state institutions.
Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria said, the Commission reaffirms its solidarity with the families of missing persons, pledging continued advocacy and support to uphold the rights of victims. “They may be missing but definitely not forgotten”, he said.
Dr. Ojukwu stated that only through a comprehensive response to insecurity by way of tackling insurgency, banditry, communal violence, separatist agitations, and poverty—can Nigeria reduce the tragic phenomenon of missing persons and restore confidence in state institutions.
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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