A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted a submission seeking to mandate the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN to implement the Anti-Torture Act.
Justice Tijjani Garba Ringim approved the Media Rights Agenda, MRA request following a motion by its lawyer, Bankeye Akinwale.
The organization said despite the enactment of the Act in 2017, many Nigerians, including journalists, are being subjected to torture by law enforcement officials and non-state actors. It also noted that the Justice Minister refused to act on its August 20, 2021 letter which requested to him perform the statutory duty imposed by the Act.
Upon reading the affidavit deposed to by MRA’s Programme Officer John Gbadamosi, and exhibits attached by Akinwale, Justice Ringim granted the application.
The Judge gave the body permission to apply for an order of mandamus against Malami on the following reliefs:
