A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted an application to compel the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to enforce the Anti-Torture Act.
Following a motion by its lawyer, Bankeye Akinwale, Justice Tijjani Garba Ringim granted the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) request.
According to MRA, despite the Act’s enactment in 2017, several Nigerians, including journalists, are being tortured by law enforcement officials and non-state actors.
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The organization stated that the AGF refused to act on its letter dated August 20, 2021, in which it asked him to perform the statutory duty imposed by the Act.
Justice Ringim granted the application after reading the affidavit deposed to by John Gbadamosi, MRA’s Programme Officer, and the exhibits attached by Akinwale.
The judge granted the body permission to seek an order of mandamus against Malami for the following reliefs:
“A declaration that the Attorney-failure General’s to make rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the Anti-Torture Act, 2017 as imposed on him by Section 11 is a breach of the law;
“An order of mandamus compelling the Attorney-General to carry out the duty imposed on him by Section 11 of the Act; ”
“An order of mandamus compelling the Attorney-General to carry out the request in MRA’s letter of demand dated August 20, 2021, delivered on August 23, 2021, in which MRA requested him to make the rules and regulations for effective implementation;
“An order directing the Attorney-General to pay to the organization the sum of N5million as exemplary and aggravated damages for the flagrant violation of Section 11 of the Anti-Torture Act, 2017.”