The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has been ordered to implement the Anti-Torture Act by a Federal High Court in Lagos.
Following a move by its lawyer, Bankeye Akinwale, Justice Tijjani Garba Ringim allowed the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) plea.
Several Nigerians, including journalists, are being tortured by law enforcement personnel and non-state entities, according to MRA, despite the Act’s passage in 2017.
The organization noted that the AGF 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 John Gbadamosi, MRA’s Programme Officer 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:
“A declaration that the failure of the Attorney-General 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 AGF to carry out the request in MRA’s letter of demand dated August 20, 2021 delivered on August 23, 2021, wherein 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 the Section 11 of the Anti-Torture Act, 2017.”