Akume Takes NHRC, Others to Court Over Alleged Failure to Protect Benue Residents from Military’s Human Rights Abuses

Public policy analyst Sesugh Akume has filed a lawsuit against the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and two of its top officials, Anthony Okechukwu Ojukwu and Dr. Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman, over their alleged inaction on a reported human rights abuse case in Benue.

The case, filed on August 8, 2024, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accuses the NHRC of failing to investigate and address the atrocities committed by the Nigerian military in Benue, despite receiving a complaint on March 31, 2023.

Akume’s complaint details an attack on his community in Sankera, Benue, where military operatives killed one person, injured another, and forcibly took away almost 100 motorcycles. Despite preliminary investigations by the NHRC Benue office, the commission allegedly failed to take further action, instead forwarding the complaint to the military to investigate itself.

Akume’s lawsuit seeks damages, an apology, and compensation for the victims and their families. He also asks the court to order the NHRC to conclude the matter and make a determination within two weeks of the judgment.

The case raises concerns about the NHRC’s effectiveness and public trust, with Akume noting that victims of human rights abuses often turn to social media influencers and activists instead of the commission. The matter is scheduled to commence on September 12, 2024, before Justice P. O. Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.