Details of State Offices Of National Human Rights Commission

Daily Law Tips (Tip 684) by Onyekachi Umah, Esq., LL.M, ACIArb(UK)

Introduction:

There is a special agency created to promote and protect human rights across Nigeria. That federal agency is the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with its headquarters at No 19 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, FCT. The NHRC among other things, has the duty to promptly respond to allegations of human rights violations and to promote advocacy, education, and interventions that encourage awareness on Human Rights issues.

The services of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is funded by the Nigerian government, so that the service of NHRC are free to all persons in Nigeria. Where there is a violation of any human right in Nigeria, aside going to court, on can approach the nearest office of the NHRC, from the below list of their addresses across Nigeria. This work presents the list of the addresses of NHRC offices across Nigeria, their phone numbers, emails and the full names of the officers in charge of each state office, to ensure quick and free response to cases of human rights violation across Nigeria.

Relevant Powers of the National Human Rights Commission:

Fundamental Human Rights are created by the constitution of Nigeria and the National Human Rights Commission has powers to promote and protect them. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has powers to investigate cases of violation of human rights. The NHRC can support in seeking legal remedies on behalf of the victim. Also the NHRC can recommend the prosecution of a violator of human rights and can also receive complaints, hear petitions and make determination. The NHRC can award damages and compensation against a violator of human rights in favour of a victim.

Details of Headquarters of National Human Rights Commission:

No 19 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, FCT. Phone: 08006472428 (Toll Free), 092903746, 092908829, 09032192577 07041678566, 07053529460. Email: info@nhrc.gov.ng Website: https://www.nhrc.gov.ng

Work days are; Monday – Friday: 8 AM – 4 PM. Holidays are: Saturday & Sunday: Closed. It is assumed that the workdays also apply to the state offices across Nigeria.

Details of State Offices of National Human Rights Commission:

Where there is a threat to human rights or a violation of human rights, aside going to court, the victim or his/her supporters can seek help from any of the nearest office of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Below is the list of all state offices of the National Human Rights Commission in Nigeria.

Recommendation and Conclusion:  

Most Nigerians are poor even as there is a surge in violation of human rights across Nigeria. Only few Nigerians can afford proper legal services. This is further validated by the report of The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HIIL), which states that, “there are over 25 million legal problems per year in Nigeria, with only 10% problems reaching lawyers. Legal Aid is invisible, there are little or no lawyers, paralegals or law firms in rural areas and only few wealthy Nigerians can access lawyers. Cost of simple legal inquiry on rights is expensive and about N76,100.00 (above $200). Literacy requirements of courts, statutory documents and language of courts are complex even for literates.

There is an obvious gap in access to justice, including enforcement of fundamental human rights. The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, with very limited resources is greatly overwhelmed, with little or no focus on enforcement of human rights cases. Obviously, there is huge need for the National Human Rights Commission to step forward and do more. Without adequate legal awareness, the Nigerians in need of legal support will not meet the NHRC. Nigerians need legal services for enforcement of human rights and the National Human Rights Commission must wake up and do more!

My authorities, are:

1. Sections 1, 2, 3, 24, 33, 34, 318 and 319 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.
2. Sections 6, 7, 8 and 22 of the National Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Act 2010.
3. Sections 1, 2, 5 and 6, the National Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Act 1995.
4. The judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (on meaning and nature of fundamental human rights) in the case of RANSOME-KUTI & ORS v. AG FEDERATION & ORS (1985) LPELR-2940(SC)
5. The judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (on meaning and nature of fundamental human rights) in the case of AGBAI & ORS v. OKOGBUE (1991) LPELR-225(SC).
6. The judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (on when and why fundamental human rights can be restricted/suspended) in the case of DOKUBO-ASARI v. FRN (2007) LPELR-958(SC).
7. National Human Rights Commission, ‘State Offices” (NHRC) <http://www.nhrc.gov.ng/index.php/regional-offices#zamfara > accessed 27
8. October 2020. 1 Onyekachi Umah, “Does The President/Governors Have Powers To Lockdown Any Part Of Nigeria Or Restrict Human Rights?” (Daily Law Tips [Tip 537]) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/does-the-president-governors-have-powers-to-lockdown-any-part-of-nigeria-or-restrict-human-rights-daily-law-tips-tip-537-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-llm-aciarbuk/ > accessed 18 October 2020.
9. Onyekachi Umah, “Human Rights That Can Never Be Restricted Even In War, Pandemic or State of Emergency (Daily Law Tips [Tip 539]) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/human-rights-that-can-never-be-restricted-even-in-war-pandemic-or-state-of-emergency-daily-law-tips-tip-539-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-llm-aciarbuk/> accessed 18 October 2020
10. Stephen Ubimago, ‘Legal Aid Council: Facing Challenge Of Relevance Amid Poor Funding’ (Independent, 27 October 2020) <https://www.independent.ng/legal-aid-council-facing-challenge-of-relevance-amid-poor-funding/ > accessed 27 October 2020.

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