Osinbajo Inaugurates Panel To Investigate Military Compliance With Human Rights Obligation

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday inaugurated a presidential investigation panel to investigate alleged human rights abuse by the Nigerian military.

The panel inaugurated on Friday was set-up to “review compliance of Nigerian Military with Human Rights obligations,” according to the Presidency.

AgP @ProfOsinbajo today inaugurated Presidential Investigation Panel to review compliance of Nigerian Military with Human Rights obligations

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) August 11, 2017

This comes days after the Acting President appointed a 7-man Judicial Commission headed by Justice Biobele A. Georgewill, of the Court of Appeal, to review compliance of the Nigerian Armed Forces with human rights obligations and rules of engagement.

Osinbajo’s descion to set-up these panels may not be unconnected to reports by international human rights group accusing the country’s military of rights abuse in several operations.

Recall that the Amnesty International accused the army of slaughtering over 300 Shiite protesters in Kaduna in 2015, killing dozens of pro-Biafra protesters, and suspected Boko Haram members.

The military has always denied the claims, as it has been given the free-will to set up its own panel of investigation, which always cleared it of any wrongdoing.

Other members of the judicial commission set-up by the Acting President last week include Patrick Akem, a major general, Wale Fapohunda, Hauwa Ibrahim, Jibrin Ibrahim, Ifeoma Nwakama, and a representative of the Office of the National Security Adviser.