The federal government confirmed the payment of a judgement debt of N135 million yesterday. The payment is to the victims and family members of the September 18, 2013 ‘Apo six killings’. Furthermore, this is in accordance with a resolution of the National Human Rights Commission.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami confirmed this to reporters after a meeting of the Federal Council meeting.
This payment was made after the murder of six traders by Nigerian police officers in 2005. The traders are Ifeanyi Ozor, Chinedu Meniru, Augustina Arebu, Anthony Nwokike, Paulinus Ogbonna and Ekene Isaac Mgbe.
He said FEC approved Action Plan 2022 to 2026 for the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria. Accordingly, it was formulated by the stakeholders in ministries, departments and agencies.
Malami said the policy was targeted at consolidating and upscaling the Nigerian observance of the human rights posture in view of the successes and achievements of Nigeria on human rights under the current administration.
He also said the report of the committee for the protection of journalists equally adjudged Nigeria as the only African country last year that had been in full compliance in terms of the protection of the rights of the journalists with one incidence of death of a journalist recorded from infractions.
He said-
“The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has established a record of being the first and only administration in the history of Nigeria that has indeed tolerated, accommodated and enforced decisions of the Human Rights Commission”.
cc: Daily Trust Ng
