Human Rights panel begins session in Nigeria

Human Rights panel begins session in Nigeria

The names of some of the pro-democracy advocates who dared rebel and died during the regime of the late General Sani Abacha surfaced before a panel investigating Human Rights abuse, which has received about 10,000 petitions countrywide.

Pa Alfred Rewane and Toyin Onagoruwa murdered by agents of the late dictator topped some of the petitions before the panel expected to begin sitting Tuesday in Lagos.

Pa Rewane, nationalist, pro-democracy activist died on Oct. 6, 1996 at the age of 79 when gunmen stormed his Ikeja, Gra residence in the early hours of the day and shot him.

Similarly, Toyin Onagoruwa, a lawyer and first child of Dr. Olu Onagoruwa, attorney general of the Federation in the regime of Abacha, was slain in the evening of Dec. 18, 1996 when gunmen stormed his residence at Onike area of Yaba, Lagos and shot him.

Dr. Onagoruwa, a former federal minister of justice told local media that he had been invited by the panel to appear before it on Tuesday and testify.

"They invited me. I am a witness in Toyin's case," he said, explaining that he had written a petition to the panel. Rewane was largely believed to be the main financier of the National Democratic Coalition, (NADECO).

Retired Justice Chukwudifo Oputa who headed the panel explained to local media that about 120 of the petitions were serious enough for hearing.

Such serious cases include the assassinations of Alhaji Kudirat Abiola, Rear Admiral Olu Omotehinwa, Bagauda Kaltho, a journalist.

Others include the failed attempt to assassinate Guardian newspaper publisher Alex Ibru, Chief Anthony Enahoro and Chief Abraham Adesanya.

The term of reference for the panel included establishing the extent, the evidence and circumstances that may permit the causes, nature and extent of Human Rights violations or abuses.

It is expected to established all known or suspected cases of mysterious deaths and assassinations committed in Nigeria since the last democratic dispensation;

The person or persons, authorities, institutions or organizations which may be held accountable for such mysterious deaths, assassinations or attempted assassinations or other violations or abuses of Human Rights and to determine the motives for the violations or abuses, the victims and circumstances thereof and the effect on such victims or the society generally.

The panel will also determine whether such abuses or violations were the product of deliberate state policy or the policy of any of its organs or institutions or individuals..

The panel will also recommend appropriate measures which may be taken, whether judicial, administrative, legislative or institutional to redress past injustices and to prevent or forestall future violations or abuses of Human Rights

Out of the 10,000 petitions before the panel, 8,000 came from the Ogoniland that lost one of its prominent son Ken Sariwiwa.

The panel is also saddle to unravel the death of ace journalist Dele Giwa, slain by a letter bomb during the regime of dictator Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

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