Falana Exposes Forced Confessions: Demands NBA And NHRC Tackle Police Brutalit

Published January 13, 2025 at 9:53 AM

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to spearhead efforts to educate citizens on reporting cases of torture by security agencies.

Falana noted that despite the legal prohibition of torture in Nigeria, security agencies persist in using such inhumane practices against citizens.

In a statement on Sunday, he condemned the violation of constitutional and international laws that protect citizens from degrading treatment. Highlighting historical instances like Mogaji v. Board of Customs & Excise (1982)—where traders were brutalized during market raids—Falana stressed the importance of adhering to the law.

He referenced the Anti-Torture Act, which mandates the government to uphold the rights of all individuals, including suspects and detainees, and prescribes a 25-year prison term for offenders. If a victim dies due to torture, the offender faces murder charges.

Falana also criticized the practice of extracting forced confessions without legal representation, which leads to legal complications during prosecutions.

He urged the NBA, NHRC, and other human rights advocates to mobilize Nigerians to expose and report acts of torture, emphasizing the need for collective action to uphold the rule of law.