George Ikeokwu, a 38 year old, construction worker, an indigene of Onitsha in Anambra State,was a staff of an Italian Company, Gitto Constructioni Genarali, Nig. Ltd, which is handling theconstruction of the National Christian Centre, located opposite the Central Bank of <strong>Nigeria</strong>Abuja. Ikeokwu alleged he had worked with the Company for 15 months but was dismissed becausehe became incapacitated by an industrial accident.According to Ikeokwu, on the 15 th of May <strong>2005</strong>, at about 2.00 a.m., while on night work, hesufferedelectric shock, lost consciousness and was taken to the site clinic within the construction site. At dawn,Jude Adure, the Personnel Manager to the company, directed that he be moved to Zankli Hospital,located at Mabushi, Abuja. He was therefore transferred from the site clinic to Zankli at about 10.00a.m. where he was admitted and diagnosed to be suffering from paralysis, due to the shock. Ikeokwuspent two months and seven days (16 th May – 23 rd July <strong>2005</strong>), at the hospital. While at the hospital, hewas visited twice, by representatives of the company, in the first two weeks of his admission. While stillrecuperating at the hospital, Ikeokwu was issued with a dismissal letter. He was dismissed withoutcompensation and the company did not pay his hospital bills. His family had to pay the bills and takehim home.Meanwhile, in the appointment letter issued to him before assumption of office, the company stated thathe should be paid onemonth salary in lieu as compensation. His monthly salary was N17, 000. But hewas neither paid the onemonth salary in lieu nor paid for the period he was on admission in thehospital. When Ikeokwu went to the company premises to complain against this treatment, he was notallowed inside. Upon investigation, Johnson Ekpe and Ephraim Okonkwo, who are employees of thecompany, alleged that two other staff of the company had suffered a similar situation as they too, weredismissed without due process and no compensation was paid to them.This is a violation of Ikeokwu’s right to favourable condition of work as provided by Article 23, UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights, and Article 15, African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, as well asthe provision of the Workmen’s Compensation Act.RECOMMENDATIONS1) Construction companies in <strong>Nigeria</strong> and indeed all employers should be sensitized on the needto follow due process in the termination of employment of their staff.2) Workers in Gitto Constructioni Genarali, Nig. Ltd should be paid compensation for injuriessustained in the course of their work, as stipulated under the Workmen’s Compensation Act.3) There is need to review the Workmen’s Compensation Act with a view to bringing it into linewith the present economic realities of the country.64
CHAPTER ELEVENCOMMUNNAL CONFLICTS AND O<strong>THE</strong>R RELATED VIOLENCEA citizen of <strong>Nigeria</strong> of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion orpolitical opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person(a)(b)be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of any law in forcein <strong>Nigeria</strong> or any executive or administrative action of the government, todisabilities or restrictions to which citizens of <strong>Nigeria</strong> of other communities, ethnicgroups, places of origin, sex, religion or political opinions are not made subject; orbe accorded either expressly by, or in the practical application of any law in forcein <strong>Nigeria</strong> or any executive or administrative action of the government, todisabilities or restrictions to which citizens of <strong>Nigeria</strong> of other communities, ethnicgroups, places of origin, sex, religion or political opinion.Section 42, 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of <strong>Nigeria</strong>For the purpose of promoting national integration, it shall be the duty of the State to(a) Provide adequate facilities for and encourage free mobility of people, goods andservices throughout the federation.(b) Secure full residence rights for every citizen in all parts of the Federation(c) Encourage intermarriage among persons from different places of origin, or ofdifferent religious, ethnic or linguistic association or ties; and(d) Promote or encourage the formation of associations that cut across ethnic,linguistic, religious or other sectional barriers.Section15 (3), 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of <strong>Nigeria</strong>Every individual shall have the duty to respect and consider his fellow beings withoutdiscrimination, and to maintain relations aimed at promoting, safeguarding andreinforcing mutual respect and tolerance.Article 28, African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights1. Any propaganda for war shall be prohibited by law.2. Any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement todiscrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law.Article 20, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights<strong>Nigeria</strong> has recorded very serious cases of communal conflicts and related violence despite theprovisions of the 1999 Constitution, and international human rights instruments. Hate and prejudicehave led through violence, to the internal displacement of communities and the loss of lives andproperties. Government has in a substantial number of cases failed to protect lives and properties.65
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THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTSINNIGERIA2
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe National Human
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FOREWORDThe State of Human Rights i
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INTRODUCTIONThe history of human ri
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CHAPTER ONEEXTRAJUDICIAL, SUMMARY
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On the 11 th of August, 2006, bodie
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Corpse of Mr. Lugard Monday© Insti
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CHAPTER TWOTORTURE, CRUEL, INHUMAN
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Moments after Patrick died, a senio
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CHAPTER THREEPOLICE CELLS AND OTHER
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- Page 25 and 26: the visits. Without being informed
- Page 27 and 28: last resort and for the minimum nec
- Page 29 and 30: Binta Umar, a 33yearold woman w
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- Page 33 and 34: Women and ChildrenThe prison does n
- Page 35 and 36: of rape and abduction against him.
- Page 37 and 38: SOKOTO CENTRAL PRISONIntroductionTh
- Page 39 and 40: Ifeanyi Arasu, aged 28, was charged
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- Page 43 and 44: BeddingsAt the male cells, only the
- Page 45 and 46: KUJE PRISONINTRODUCTIONKuje prison
- Page 47 and 48: RECOMMENDATIONS ON KUJE PRISONi) At
- Page 49 and 50: VISITORS’ BOOKSeveral visitors’
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- Page 53 and 54: 5 Ahmed Suleiman, age 31 remanded i
- Page 55 and 56: RECOMMENDATIONS1) The States should
- Page 57 and 58: CHAPTER FIVEWOMEN AND OTHER GENDER
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- Page 61 and 62: CHAPTER SIXFREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AN
- Page 63 and 64: various persons and clients of the
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- Page 67 and 68: 4. Abdullah Mohammed, aged 16. He r
- Page 69 and 70: CHAPTER EIGHTHEALTH“The State sha
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- Page 73: CHAPTER TENLABOUR“The state shall
- Page 77 and 78: acking different groups according t
- Page 79 and 80: claimed several lives, the Federal
- Page 81 and 82: Onitsha/Owerri Road, Mr Johnson Oka
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- Page 85 and 86: should do is to direct that every b
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- Page 89 and 90: CHAPTER THIRTEENACCESS TO JUSTICE A
- Page 91 and 92: On September 9, 2005, Samuel and ot
- Page 93 and 94: CHAPTER FOURTEENPOLITICAL KILLINGS
- Page 95 and 96: CONCLUSIONGENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS1.
- Page 97: 30. The Ministry of Justice should
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