Solicitor-General, NHRC Demand Collective Action Against Torture

The Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba has called on citizens and stakeholders to be sincere and collective in the fight against torture and other forms of rights violation.

Jedy-Agba, who is also the Chairperson, National Committee Against Torture made the call on Friday at the 2025 Commemoration of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, in Abuja.

She said the Federal Ministry of Justice has over the years focused on prevention of torture through awareness and sensitisation of law enforcement organisations.

Jedy-Agba added that the ministry has initiated reforms of legal and regulatory frameworks on torture prevention and punishment.

The Solicitor-General further stated that in this regard, the ministry, through the Committee Against Torture (CATN), has concluded work on the establishment of Implementing Regulations for the Anti-Torture Act, 2017.

The Regulations, she said, make provisions for specific matters that hitherto hindered the implementation of the Anti-Torture Act.

While revealing that the Anti-Torture Regulations are currently in the process of being gazette, she explained that it will enable the Act to come into force, in line with the requirements of the law.

Jedy-Agba also warned that torture is an abhorrent act that must be shunned by all.

Earlier in his goodwill message, the Executive secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu commended the federal government for taking progressive step to align with its international obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Torture.

Ojukwu also commended the federal government for the enactment of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2017.

The NHRC boss stressed that preventing torture is not only a legal obligation, but equally a moral imperative and emphasised that for torture to be prevented in the country, there must be political will with strengthened oversight mechanism.

He further recommended proper training of security and law enforcement agencies and the empowerment of victims through legal, social, humanitarian and medical services among other key needs to mitigate or prevent violation of citizen’s rights through torture.