Human rights advocate and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has urged Nigerians to actively report individuals and officials both in the private and public sectors who violate the Anti-Torture Act of 2017.

In a statement released on Sunday, Falana condemned the ongoing torture and mistreatment of citizens, despite both constitutional and international legal protections.

He highlighted that, despite clear protections in the Nigerian Constitution and global human rights agreements, the fundamental rights of vulnerable groups such as children, impoverished citizens, and criminal suspects are still regularly violated across the country.

Falana referenced past violations, including the infamous Mogaji v. Board of Customs & Excise case of 1982, where armed officials violently raided Lagos markets in search of contraband.

He described this as a blatant violation of constitutional protections against cruel and degrading treatment.

Although Nigeria enacted the Anti-Torture Act in 2017, Falana emphasized that torture remains deeply embedded in law enforcement practices across the nation.

Drawing on a 2007 UN report, he cited various forms of police abuse, including physical beatings, hanging prisoners from ceilings, and the denial of basic necessities like food and medical care.

The Act itself criminalizes such practices, with Section 1 mandating that the government uphold the right to freedom from torture for all individuals, including detainees and prisoners.

The law imposes severe penalties for offenders, including a 25-year prison sentence for torture, and a potential murder charge if torture leads to death.

Despite these legal provisions, Falana expressed concern that forced confessions are still common, often made without the presence of legal counsel, leading to unfair trials.

To tackle these abuses, Falana called for the involvement of institutions such as the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association, and other human rights groups to mobilize citizens in exposing and reporting these violations.

In his final remarks, Falana stressed the importance of holding accountable those who violate the Anti-Torture Act: “It is critical for Nigerians to stand against the culture of impunity and demand respect for human dignity in the country.”

The Nigerian military has officially banned personnel from engaging in activities such as homosexuality, cross-dressing, bestiality, and other actions considered unethical by the armed forces.

Under the revised Harmonised Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service, signed by President Bola Tinubu in December 2024, military officers are also prohibited from getting tattoos or body piercings, exhibiting disorderly conduct, or being intoxicated, whether on or off duty.

Section 26 of the revised document outlines several restrictions, including a ban on participation in LGBTQIA2S+ activities, cross-dressing, and any behavior that goes against the standards of military ethics.

The section also stresses that officers must maintain proper decorum, avoiding actions that bring public disgrace.

The rules further prohibit military personnel from engaging in romantic relationships with subordinates or the spouses of their colleagues.

Officers are also forbidden from joining secret societies or political parties and participating in any related activities.

Additionally, the military clarified that cultural or traditional religious groups that are not secret by nature are exempt from the prohibition on secret societies.

This move by the Nigerian military comes as part of ongoing efforts to enforce discipline and uphold the ethical standards of the armed forces.

Aminu Babba Dan’Agundi, Senior Counsel to the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, has announced plans to challenge the recent ruling by the Court of Appeal that favored the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

Dan’Agundi, who holds the title of Sarkin Dawaki Babba in the Kano Emirate, had previously sought to enforce fundamental human rights through the Federal High Court, claiming violations during the ongoing emirship dispute.

However, he rejected the appellate court’s decision and vowed to take the matter to the Supreme Court.

At a gathering at the Nassarawa Mini Palace, Dan’Agundi said, “This emirship issue is far from over. Nobody can declare victory just yet because we are taking the matter to the Supreme Court for a final resolution.”

He further explained that his legal team had already been instructed to obtain a certified true copy of the judgment, as the appeal would put a stay on the lower court’s decision.

Dan’Agundi clarified the Court of Appeal’s judgment, noting that although the lead judge suggested transferring the case to the state’s Chief Judge for redirection, the court did not outright dismiss their claims but ruled that it lacked jurisdiction.

He added that two other judges disagreed with the lead judgment, which ultimately led to the appeal being struck out.

“Until the Supreme Court renders its decision, we do not consider the matter settled, and no one should assume victory,” Dan’Agundi emphasized.

He also called for peace and urged Kano residents to remain law-abiding as the legal battle unfolds.

Sir Mike Okiro, a former Inspector General of Police and an aspirant in the recently concluded Ohaneze Ndigbo election, has dismissed reports claiming a court order barred him from the election as a complete hoax.

Okiro, in a media briefing held in Port Harcourt, urged the media to be cautious about the information they share with the public.

The former IGP explained that on January 7, 2025, he was made aware of a media report stating that a court order issued by the Enugu High Court had prevented him from contesting for the position of President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

Okiro said he was initially misled by the information and took legal steps to challenge it.

“I contacted my lawyer to obtain a copy of the supposed court order and work to have it vacated. By the evening of January 8, 2025, my lawyer had not succeeded due to time constraints. On January 9, I addressed the press and stepped aside in compliance with what I believed to be a valid court order,” Okiro recounted.

However, after further investigation, Okiro’s lawyer discovered that no such court order existed.

The legal proceedings related to the case, filed by Comrade Chimenu Amadi, were still in motion, with the court hearing scheduled for January 10, 2025.

Okiro revealed that the court had only granted leave for the motion to be heard and had not issued any orders to bar him from the election or screening process.

“There was no court order barring me from the election. The media reports were false, misleading, and deceitful. I followed the information because I respect the rule of law, but I missed the election as a result,” Okiro stated.

He also criticized the media for spreading false information and called on the police to investigate the matter under Section 125(A) of the Criminal Code for the circulation of false information.

He further urged the Nigerian Bar Association to take action against the lawyer involved in filing the misleading application.

“I urge Nigerians to be cautious about what they read and believe. The misinformation surrounding this issue has diminished the credibility of the judiciary and caused unnecessary confusion,” he added.

Despite the setback, Okiro congratulated Senator John Azuta-Mbata on his election as the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and pledged his full support for the advancement of the Igbo community worldwide.

A 34-year-old father of seven, Monday Elela, has been apprehended by the Ondo State Police Command for allegedly killing his 14-year-old son, Tope Elela, over repeated thefts.

The incident occurred in the Ajowa Akoko area of the state, where the suspect and his wife—who remains at large—are said to have buried their son in a shallow grave after his death.

Elela, a bricklayer and farmer, was paraded before the press alongside other suspected criminals at the police headquarters in Akure, the state capital.

While he admitted to disciplining his son, Elela denied any involvement in his death.

According to him, Tope had frequently been arrested by the police and the Amotekun Corps for stealing, causing embarrassment to the family.

He explained, “Out of my seven children, he was the one causing us constant problems. He would break into people’s homes and was well-known in our area for it. He had been arrested several times but never changed his ways.”

Elela recounted that the last time Tope was caught, he had been apprehended by Amotekun operatives but managed to escape from their custody by breaking through a ventilation opening.

After being found and returned home, the father said they only gave him a light spanking for his misdeeds.

Elela claimed they were unaware that the boy had sustained injuries during his time with Amotekun and that he later died in his sleep.

“We spanked him for his wrongdoings, but he ate his food, took a bath, and went to bed. It was the next morning when we tried to wake him up that we discovered he was unresponsive. We rushed to him and confirmed he had died,” he stated.

Elela and his wife then buried Tope’s body in their backyard, insisting that they did not kill him.

In a separate development, the State Police Commissioner, Wilfred Afolabi, announced the arrest of two suspects involved in recent cult-related violence in Owo, Ondo State.

The individuals, Adeola Bero and Olabode Ojo, were arrested in Akure and are suspected members of the Ave cult group.

They confessed to participating in the conflict between the Eiye and Aiye cult groups, but claimed to have left Owo to avoid further involvement.