Lawyer Urges NHRC to Release Report on Alleged Rights Violations in Ebonyi

A civil rights lawyer, Maduabuchi O. Idam, has given the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) 30 days to finish its investigation into claims of human rights abuses in Amasiri communities, Ebonyi State. He is asking for a certified true copy of the report.

Idam made this request in a notice sent to the NHRC on October 7. He said this demand follows petitions he submitted in February and March about issues such as arbitrary arrests, unlawful killings, destruction of homes, looting of cultural items, and interruptions to education in the affected areas.

According to Idam, after he submitted his petitions, he was told that the NHRC had transferred the case to its office in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. He later learned that the investigation was complete and the report had been sent to the NHRC headquarters in Abuja. After this, he requested a certified copy of the report on May 12.

However, when Idam visited the Abuja office, he was shown the report but was told he needed to pay a fee for the certification. He was later informed that the investigation was still ongoing and waiting for responses from the Ebonyi State Government, the police, and the Army. This contradicted what he had been told earlier.

Idam expressed frustration over the lack of progress, noting that over 28 people allegedly arrested in connection with these complaints are still in custody. He emphasized the need for a timely resolution of the allegations, which include serious issues like unlawful detention and killings.

He warned that if the NHRC does not complete the investigation and provide the report within the 30-day timeframe, he may seek legal action without further notice to the Commission.