Human and Community Rights Centre (HCRC) Blog

  Civil Society Groups Demand Direct Access to African Human Rights Court A coalition of 24 Nigerian and international civil society organisations has called upon the Federal Government to grant Nigerians direct access to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. In a joint statement addressed to the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu, the organisations urged the government to make and deposit the declaration under Article 34(6) of the Protocol Establishing the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Such a declaration would permit Nigerians and eligible non-governmental organisations to approach the Court directly after exhausting domestic remedies. The statement followed a letter sent to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). Although Nigeria ratified the Protocol establishing the Court in 2004, it has yet to make the optional declaration required to enable direct access. The coalition contends that this omis...

  Oluwo Calls for Abolition of Harmful Cultural Practices Violating Human Rights The Oluwo of Iwo in Osun State, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has called on the Nigeria Police Force to support the abolition of what he described as barbaric and unconstitutional cultural practices that endanger public safety and infringe upon citizens’ fundamental rights. The monarch made this appeal in Ikeja, Lagos State, during the unveiling of “Diary of an Audacious Reformer,” a book written in honour of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. The book was authored by veteran journalist and Razornews Chief Executive Officer, Sunday Odita, and chronicles Egbetokun’s professional journey, highlighting reforms credited with enhancing efficiency within the Nigeria Police Force. Speaking at a panel session titled “Institutional Collaboration as a Tool for Counter-Terrorism and Crime,” Oba Akanbi urged security agencies to take decisive steps to curb certain traditional practices. These include th...

  Engineers Advocate Ethical Artificial Intelligence to Safeguard Human Rights Engineers across Africa have called for the ethical deployment of artificial intelligence to address insecurity, forced labour, and human trafficking.  Nigerian software engineer Ayotunde Somoye emphasised that AI should assist human investigators rather than replace human judgment.  He noted that AI can help identify early warning signs and irregular recruitment patterns while ensuring that final decisions remain with people to protect human rights and maintain accountability.

  NHRC Records 3,019 Human Rights Complaints in Kano State in 2025 The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) reported receiving 3,019 human rights complaints in Kano State between January and December 2025. Of these, 2,276 cases were concluded, while 743 remain ongoing.  Major complaints included child rights violations, domestic violence, law enforcement abuses, and sexual and gender-based violence. The commission also recorded over 2,000 migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, returnees, and internally displaced persons during a statewide data-collection exercise.  The NHRC plans to intensify sensitisation campaigns and strengthen collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and other stakeholders.