Torture -3
Welcome to the last article on Torture!
I trust our journey on torture has been educating and also interesting.
Today, we’d be looking at the last sections of the Anti-Torture Act 2017.(Section 5- 8)
Section 5 of the Act provides that a person who has suffered from torture, cruel or inhuman treatment may seek the necessary legal assistance from the Human Rights Commission, Non-governmental organisations and private persons, that is, private lawyers.
(I’d drop the contact details of Nigeria Human Rights Commission at the end of this article).
Section 6 of the Act is quite interesting, it explains that for anyone who has been arrested, detained or in custody for investigation, such person should be informed of his right to demand for a physical and psychological examination (detailed physical and mental inspection).
This examination must be done by an independent and competent doctor of his own choice after interrogation, which, of course, should be conducted outside the influence of the police or security forces.
But whosoever does not wish to exercise this right may knowingly and voluntarily waive it in writing.
In Section 7 of the Act,it is provided that a person who actually participates in inflicting torture or who is present when the act of torture is being done is responsible for his action, this is the same for any superior military, police of law enforcement officer or senior governmental official who issues an order to a lower ranking personnel to torture an individual
Beacuse the act of torture was ordered by a superior officer or from a superior in the office of public authority does not justify the act of torture, it doesn’t make it right!
It would be wrong to end here, the entire point of the Anti Torture Act 2017, is to protect us from torture, cater for those who have been tortured and also punish those who would commit this sad offense and this is contained in Section 8 of the Act where it provided that the penalty for those who commit this offense would be imprisoned for not more than 25 years. (Serves them right!).
Also contained in this section is the fact where an individual loses his life from an act of torture, it would be counted as murder and the one who committed the act of torture would be tried and punished under the relevant laws.
I have to say, it was wonderful having you here for this interesting series on torture.
As promised, below are the contact details for the Nigeria Human Rights Commission
Phone: 08006472428 (Toll Free), 092903746, 092908829, 09032192577
07041678566, 07053529460
Email: info@nhrc.gov.ng
Website: https://www.nigeriarights.gov.ng/about/overview.html
Do well to spread the word.
See you next time!
Thank you for reading, please do well to share to lots, lots of people.
The goal is that the citizens of this country, learn to walk in the consciousness of their rights.
Let’s make that happen together!
NHRC details credit:https://www.nigeriarights.gov.ng/about/overview.html
Author: Esther Ude.
