Commission Asks Enugu to Conduct Inquest on 51 Corpses

The National Human Right Commission (NHRC) has requested the Enugu State Government to convene coroner’s inquest into the cause of death of 51 strange corpses it discovered at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), including one allegedly killed by men of the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS), Enugu.

This is as the Commission has said that Nigerians possess the power to put an end to the culture of impunity allegedly being perpetrated largely by the political class and the security agencies. It therefore called on them to start exercising such powers without delay in order to end rights abuses.

The NHRC made the request after a preliminary investigation of a petition from the Enugu office of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) last year, accusing officials of SARS, Enugu of engaging in the extra-judicial killing of Chukuma Iheizie, a 30 year old male allegedly killed by one Bolu of SARS.

NHRC’s Chief Press Secretary, Fatima Agwai Mohammed, said in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday that, in line with the commission’s Standing Order and Rules of Procedure, NHRC, in the course of preliminary investigation into the complaint by CLO, “discovered additional human remains of about fifty young men (with red marker on them) at the same mortuary where Chukwuma Ihezie’s body was deposited”

The commission particularly asked the state’s Chief Judge to ensure the conduct of the coroner’s inquest with a view to unraveling the cause of the death of the 51 corpses.

“In the exercise of its statutory mandate, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Bem Angwe has requested for the coroner’s inquest into the alleged killings to enable the Commission determine whether or not a systemic case of extra-judicial execution has occurred in the circumstance.

“Prof Bem Angwe stated that extra-judicial execution is a violation of right to life contrary to S. 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, (as amended); Article 4, of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR) and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

“He further assured members of the public that the Commission will remain focused in its fight against impunity and will ensure that law enforcement agencies adhere to principle of accountability and best practices in the discharge of their duties,” Mrs Mohammed said.

Angwe charged Nigerians to check impunity of the political class and security agencies during a sensitization programme at Rhema University, Aba, saying that it would be counterproductive to turn a blind eye to culture of impunity knowing that anyone could fall victim at any point in time.

He also called on traditional rulers, security agencies and tertiary institutions in the country to collaborate with the Commission in curbing harmful practices that infringe on the fundamental rights of Nigerians.