By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has cautioned lawyers against turning civil disputes into criminal cases by labeling them offence of “threat to life” and similar charges.
The Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Oyo State, Mr Abayomi Ogundele gave the warning at the consultative meeting on National Action Plan (NAP) for Human Rights, held on Wednesday in Ibadan.
Ogundele said the practice undermines justice and burdens the courts.
“Lawyers should sensitise the police on the need to differentiate criminal matters from civil ones; when a civil matter is brought, it should be treated as civil,” he said.
The NHRC coordinator advised courts to act when cases brought before them are clearly civil in nature.
“When a case is civil, but charged criminally, the court should adjudicate on the matter and acquit,” Ogundele said.
He noted that turnout at the forum exceeded expectations, attributing it to the fact that NHRC services are free.
The coordinator used the opportunity to remind Nigerians that their rights are inalienable and when violated, it should be reported promptly to the Commission.
He urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Oyo State to take the National Action Plan (NAP) for Human Rights to the grassroots and step down the information within their offices.
The Oyo State NHRC Head, Human Rights Education and Promotion, Mr Babatunde Onilari said participating MDAs must carry the message back to their offices so it reaches more people.
“We advise all the agencies that participated in this programme to step it down in their various offices.
“They should use it as a sensitisation programme in different places so that the information can go far and wide,” he said.
Onilari urged Nigerians to report early and not wait until after violations occur.
“My message for people from Nigeria is that don’t wait till your right is violated before you come to National Human Rights Commission.
“Respect the right of others so that nobody violates your right too,” he said.
Mrs Benedicta Adelowo, from the Oyo State Ministry of Health, said that the forum gave her a clearer understanding of human rights and her role in implementing the plan within the ministry.
“The programme has really been an exposure to know more about human rights activities, to know more about human rights as an individual as well,” she said.
She added that the knowledge would be shared with colleagues across MDAs to align work with the national plan and encourage citizens to know their rights.
Also, Deputy State Commander of the NDLEA, Oyo Command, Mr Sulaiman Badmus, said that the agency remains committed to protecting the rights of suspects during arrest and detention.
“Even though they are suspects, we still give them the benefit of the doubt that they are suspects, not criminals. Their rights are still protected,” he said.
Badmus called on the National Orientation Agency and other stakeholders to take sensitisation to rural communities, where he said violations are most common.
He also suggested holding the consultative meeting quarterly or biannually to sustain momentum.
The consultative meeting brought together MDAs, Civil Society Organisations, security agencies, the media, among others to review implementation of the National Action Plan for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (2024–2028).
NAN
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