‘Rights violations are on the rise in Nigeria’

Senate: Nation’s democratic credentials are questionable

Nigerian lawmakers urged the government of President Mohammadu Buhari to adhere to the rule of law, saying allegations of human rights violations are on the rise in the West African nation. “Nigeria’s democratic credentials have become questionable as a result of the alarming cases of alleged state-inspired human rights violations and consistent constitutional infractions perpetrated by agencies of government,” the Senate said in a motion it passed on Wednesday.

The continued detention of citizens whose release has been ordered by courts and the lack of accountability of security agencies were cited as examples in the motion, which called on the government to investigate cases of alleged human rights abuses by the police and the army.

Lawmakers mentioned the case of former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki, in detention “for over two years in total disregard of over four court orders” granting him bail pending his trial over money-laundering charges.

The leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Ebrahim Al Zakzaky, is also still incarcerated despite the Federal High Court ordering his release.

Legislators said they were “alarmed” that Buhari had agreed to buy 10 A-29 Super Tucano attack planes from the US, using $496 million (Dh1,820 million) from one of the nation’s oil savings accounts, without consulting the National Assembly.