Justice Biobele A. Georgewill, of the Court of Appeal has been appointed by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to head a 7-man judicial commission of enquiry to look into the alleged right abuses preferred against officers of the Nigerian Army fighting Boko Haram insurgents in the North East.
The judicial commission, according to a statement today, Friday, by the senior special assistant to Acting President on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, is expected to review compliance of the Nigerian Armed Forces with human rights obligations and rules of engagement, especially in local conflict and insurgency situations.”
Laolu Akande said that the presidential committee is empowered to review extant rules of engagement applicable in the Nigerian Armed Forces, and the extent of compliance thereto.
“It is also empowered to investigate alleged acts of violation, (by Nigerian security agencies) of international humanitarian and human rights law under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Geneva Conventions Act, African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act and other relevant laws.
“The commission equally has a mandate to investigate factors that might be militating against a speedy resolution of local conflicts and insurgencies and also advise on means of preventing violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in conflict situations.”
Other members of the judicial commission, the statement said, are Major General Patrick Akem, Wale Fapohunda, Hauwa Ibrahim, Jibrin Ibrahim, Ifeoma Nwakama, and a representative of the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
The statement said that the commission is expected to commence work immediately and submit its report within 90 days.[myad]
