Citizens’ Rights: Police and Judges not helping Matters –Barrister Alzubayr Abubakar …we would not relent says, CDHR

Citizens’ Rights: Police and Judges not helping Matters –Barrister Alzubayr Abubakar

…we would not relent says, CDHR

Zainab Tanimu –Kaduna, NIGERIA

The issue of human rights violation has been a very worrisome one as many people’s rights have in one way or the other being trampled upon due to ignorance. While many innocent citizens are being molested and made to face all manners of ill treatments, some have  had the stories of their lives  changed overnight as they are made to rot in jail for an offense that was never committed. An Association under the auspices of Committee for Defense for Human Rights (CDHR) born out of the necessity to fight the course of the common man says, it is committed to changing this ugly trend.

A Legal Practitioner,  Barrister Alzubayr Abubakar, a human rights activists expressing his worries over the practices of the police  and some of the judges during the CDHR’s meeting had described the police and judges as problems to the fight for human rights. Some of the judges he said do not follow what is laid down in the constitution as such infringing on the rights of the people which he described as unconstitutional, illegal, and unacceptable.

“The people have the ‘Rights to Fear Hearing’. This means that if two people are before the court, the court must accord each of them the rights to fear hearing. That is, if you ask one person to state his case, you must also ask the other his defense for that case. But some of our judges don’t observe that rule and this is a constitutional rule because it is provided for, under chapter 4 of the constitution that every person who is adjudicating for people must listen to both sides but some of our judges violate this rights. This is not acceptable to the judicial system of Nigeria; it’s unconstitutional and illegal”.

The Human Rights Activist had also frowned on the violation of human rights by the Nigerian Police Force who use all manners of acts such as molestation; beating and extortion on the accused persons which he has condemned in all intent as it is contrary to the provision of the Nigerian constitution.

There is the need for people to be conversant with the police ‘Acts’ as a means of protecting their rights. He stressed. He had also suggested that the constitution be written in 50 Nigerian languages while the police should be exposed to more training for the betterment of the society.

“We are against the brutality and the attitude of the police by not respecting the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Police must be enlightened on the implications of violating the human rights, in order to be in conformity with the best practices of the profession.” He appealed.

He had however cautioned that members of the CDHR be careful and make sure that they follow the right procedure in seeking for peoples’ rights.

“Yes, as a human activist you have the right to protect. You don’t just see criminals trying to perpetrate a crime and try to jump into their activities. At the end of the day, you may also end up being arrested”.

Contributing, Barrister Ibrahim Ahmad who spoke on the ‘Rights to Life’ had emphasized the authenticity of these rights.

“These are rights given to us by Allah which cannot be taken away from us by anyone. It is a right that cannot be trampled upon by anyone. If somebody’s life is being threatened, you have the right to intervene”

On the rights to Freedom of Movement, if someone is trying to infringe on it, you have the right to go to court. The constitution allows for freedom of movement, to own properties and to belong to association of your choice”. He concluded

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Comarade Kabir  Ibrahim  while fielding questions from newsmen had disclosed that the association was born out of the need to fight for the course of the ordinary man. Machineries he said are put in place to salvaging masses from being subjected to untold sufferings. The association according to him,  is spread across 30 states in Nigeria.  It is recognized by the federal government and other international bodies.

He said the aim of the gathering was to sensitize the members on issues relating to protection of human rights with particular reference to Kaduna state.

“This meeting for defense for human rights is meant to enlighten the people on their rights and how the members can be able to enforce their rights and other people’s rights. We are going to induct new members and provide Identity Cards for them, and shall also orientate them on how to continue to add their voices on issues relating to human rights in their various localities.

Kabir had stressed the importance of their members abiding by the rules and regulations of the association saying, it would not welcome any act that would tarnish the image of the association under the cover of a member seeking for his rights or that of the people. He added.

“Anyone found in any act of indiscipline or in an act that is capable of tarnishing the image of this association shall be dealt with according to the constitution of the association”, he warned.

He had equally assured commitments of his members in the forth-coming Local Government election scheduled to hold on the 12^th of May, 2018 saying, they would ensure that no human rights is violated by either politicians or security agencies.

The Secretary of the association, Comrade Ali Attahiru presenting the report on the activities of the group read out the followings as some of its achievements. He said,

“On the 19^th of October, 2017 CDHR legal team intervened in a matter involving gross violation of fundamental right of one El-yakubu Ajuji vs the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State and a petition has been tendered to the Chief Judge of Kaduna State”.

“On the 24^th of April, 2016 CDHR Legal Team intervened in a criminal matter before the Chief Magistrate Court (11) NDA Kaduna between Mallam Aliyu Dauda vs Hajia Safiya Garba, a widow with six children, who unlawfully sold the widow’s landed property. We were able to recover the entitlement in monetary terms, the sum of Two Million Nine Hundred Thousand Naira.

According to him, Attahiru explained that CDHR has intervened in so many cases relating to violation of human rights in Kaduna State.

The Treasurer, CDHR, Hajiya Maryam Muhammed speaking on women related issues, explained the   association’s efforts towards  helping the government in stemming the rate of crime in the state particularly that of rape which has been on the increase. Sensitization she said is on-going in educating the parents. The mothers in particular on the need to keep a close watch on the activities of their children, most especially the girl child.

Responding on the issue of hawking considering the risk the girl child is being exposed to now that rape is on the increase; more disturbing is the fact that many of these girls are seen at odd times.  According to her, “we have been talking to parents particularly the mothers on the dangers of hawking but you see, they always blame it on the present economic situation.”

However, the association she assured would not relent in its efforts in bringing to its barest minimum some of these vices.