By Emma Okereh
As the National Human Rights Commission(NHRC) prepares to investigate the secret abortion allegedly perpetrated by personnel of the Nigeria military against some women abducted by insurgents in the north east, the military, Friday, vowed to grant unfettered access of its facilities and personnel to the commission to aid its investigation. The assurance was made by the
Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Gen Lucky Irabor when he led his officers to the headquarters of the NHRC. Irabor’s visit was in response to the news report by Reuters alleging that the Nigerian military were involved in abortion of abducted pregnant women that were liberated from the clutches of Boko Haram fighters in the north east. The report further alleged that the systematic abortion was aimed at preventing the women from giving birth to a generation of criminals. Reacting to the allegations, the chief of defence staff dismissed the allegation as a handiwork of those that want to paint the hard work of the military with tar brush. The CDS opined that he knows the quality and character of the military he leads which observes rules of engagement and operational standards. He said that even as he could vouch for the military, he cannot be a judge in his own case hence the resolve to ask the NHRC, a body responsible for the type of case, to investigate the allegation. He promised to accept the outcome of the investigation. He equally promised to help the commission access platforms, facilities and personnel as the commission seems fit in the course of the investigation. Responding to the chief of defense staff, the executive secretary NHRC, chief Tony Ojukwu expressed delight at hosting the CDS and his team. He explained that the commission was established under the National Human Rights Commission Act 1995 as amended in 2010 to deal with all matters relating to human rights protection, promotion and enforcement in Nigeria. The executive secretary further explained that under section 5(d) of the Act, the commission shall cooperate with local and international organisations on human rights with the purpose of advancing the promotion and protection of human rights. He also elucidated that the Act guarantees the commission to receive and investigate complaints bordering on human rights violation and make appropriate determination as it seems fit. This is just as the Act also gives it power to conduct investigations. ” Under section 6 of the Enabling Act, section 1 (a): “The Commission has power to conduct its investigation and inquiries in such manner as it considers appropriate,” he submitted. He stated that in the exercise of its powers, it shall not be subjected to the direction or control of any other authority or person. He stated that the request of the CDS was in line with the determination of the NHRC to investigate the allegations because of the human rights implications. He promised that the investigation process of the commission must meet the international human rights standard which includes the following; It must be public and open, it must be transparent, must be in accordance with principle of fair hearing, there must be accountability, Non-discrimination and members of the panel must accommodate variety of interest. He stated that the commission would in the near future, announce further steps towards the constitution of the panel of investigation into the Reuters report.
