Rights commission begins hearing on alleged harassment of women*72 Right groups petitions FCTA

By Ukpono Ukpong, Abuja

Following petitions that trailed the recent raid of some nightclubs operating within undesignated places in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday commenced hearing on the alleged harassment of vulnerable women arrested by the officials of the FCTA.

Declaring the hearing open, the NHRC Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu said the commission received several complaints, particularly last week Friday when civil rights groups stormed the commission building over alleged unlawful arrests and maltreatment of women in the FCT and entire country.

While commending the FCTA officials for showing commitment to ensuring that proper attention is given to the issue of contention, he stressed the need to mainstream human rights into the operations of the FCTA, especially while handling issues pertaining to the women.

Speaking further, he disclosed that plans are underway for the training of relevant FCTA officials on human rights to ensure that they carry out their duties within the ambit of the law.

Earlier, making presentation on behalf of the over 72 civil society organizations across Nigeria, the Country Director, Amnesty International, Osai Ojigho noted that the petitions specifically raised concerns over the disturbing report of the unlawful arrest, assault and sexual violence as well as verbal abuse against women, in Abuja. 

She complained that within the last two weeks, no fewer than 100 women have so far been arrested by officials of FCTA taskforce team for allegedly being commercial sex workers.

In his submission, the Abuja Municipal Management Council (AMMC) Coordinator, Umar Shaibu, who led other officials of relevant departments and secretariat to the hearing, assured the commission of the council’s respect for its existence and functions.

Umar stressed that officials of the council, being the nation’s capital city managers are not after trampling on the rights of any resident, rather to carry out their duties within the ambit of the law.

At the commencement of the hearing, both officials of the FCT administration and representatives of the over 72 rights groups and individuals were present.

The hearing was presided over by the Executive Secretary of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu.