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: [email protected] 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.

Abia StateAddress:  No. 9, Item Street,

Off Calabar Road, Umuahia, Abia

State.

Coordinator:  Uche Nwokocha (DDL)

Phone:  08033473732, 09024425728

Email:  [email protected]

 Adamawa StateAddress:  No. 14 Atiku Abubakar Way,

Jimeta, Yola,

Coordinator:  Mamza Grace

Phone:  07031831522

Email:  [email protected]

 Akwa Ibom StateAddress:  No.160 Nwaniba Road

Uyo.

Coordinator:  Anthony A. Iji(ACIO)

Phone:  08035403780

Email:  [email protected]
Anambra StateAddress:  Block 21 Government House,

Old Secretariat, Awka,

Anambra State.

Coordinator:  Ugwanyi Nkechi F. (ADI)

Phone:  07059446331

Email:  [email protected]

 Bauchi StateAddress:  No.8, Justice Sabo Suleiman

Darazo Complex, Yelwa Dass Road,

Bauchi, Bauchi State

Coordinator:  Yahcit Susan Dala (CLO)

Phone:  08023400439

Email:  [email protected]

 Bayelsa StateAddress:  No. 69 Saptex Road,

Yenezue Epie, Yenegoa

Bayelsa State.

Coordinator:  Eugene Baadom (CIO)

Phone:  08035424022

Email:  [email protected]
Borno StateAddress:  No. 4 Bama Road,

Maiduguri, Borno State

Ag. Coordinator:  Jummai Usman

Mshelia (CIO)

Phone:  08067833036

Email:  [email protected]

 Cross Rivers StateAddress:  No.39 Okoro Agbor,

Ibom Layout Calabar

Coordinator:  Ebele U. Menekaya

(ADR)

Phone:  08037135494

Email:  [email protected]

 Delta StateAddress:  No. 10 Maryam Babangida

Way, Opp.SUBEB), Asaba, Delta

Coordinator:  Ngwu Alpheus

(CLO)

Phone:  08039463100

Email:  [email protected]
Ebonyi StateAddress:  Ebonyi State Secretariat,

         Nnorom Street, Abakaliki,

Ebonyi State.

Coordinator:  Okorie .C. Onyekachi

Christopher (ADR)

Phone:  08130011525

Email:  [email protected]

 Edo StateAddress:  No. 41 A 2nd East Circular

Road, Benin, Edo State

Coordinator:  Sani Momodu

(ADI)

Phone:  08035970230

Email:  [email protected]

 Ekiti StateAddress:  Iyin Road, Basiri,

Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.

 Ag. Coordinator:  Jamiu Abiodun Adigun

(ACEO)

Phone:  08034100285, 08186885278

Email:  [email protected]
Enugu StateAddress:  No. 3, Ezeagu Street,

New Haven, Enugu.

 Coordinator:  Valentine Ekeoma

Madubuko(ADI)

Phone:  08037722569

Email:  [email protected]

 Gombe StateAddress:  No.68, 69 & 70, Ground Floor

362,363 & 364, 3rd Floor,

Federal secretariat Complex, Gombe.

Coordinator:  Ayuba S. Mohammed

(PLO)

Phone:  07030584926

Email:  [email protected]

 Imo StateAddress:  No. 7, Musa Yar’Adua Drive,

Off Onitsha Road, owerri – Imo State

Coordinator:  Uka Ukachi Martha

Phone:  08039494207

Email:  [email protected]
Jigawa StateAddress:  G9, Western BlocK Behind

Radio Jigawa, Dutse.

Coordinator:  Aminu Inuwa Adamu (PIO)

Phone:  08030637049

Email:  [email protected]

 Kaduna StateAddress:  Baron House, Muhammadu ,

Buhari Way, Kaduna.

Coordinator:  Terngu Gwar (CRO)

Phone:  08037739448

Email:  [email protected]

 Kano StateAddress:  Plot 313, Gyadi-Gyadi,

New Hospital Road, Kano.

Coordinator:  Shehu Abdullahi (CIO)

Phone:  08032833051

Email:  [email protected]
Katsina StateAddress:  No. 3, Nagogo Road, GRA

Katsina Katsina State

Coordinator:  Kasimu .A. Umaru

Phone:  08031166282

Email:  [email protected]

 Kebbi StateAddress:  Abubakar Musa Garkuwa

Street, Gesse Phase 1 Birnin-Kebbi

Coordinator:  Tijjani Ladan

Phone:  08035913393

Email:  [email protected]

 Kogi StateAddress:  Olubayo Housing Estate,

Ganaja Road, Lokoja.

Coordinator:  Nuhu Musa Mohammed

Phone:  08033645844

Email:  [email protected]
Kwara StateAddress:  No. 3 old Jebba Road,

Ilorin, Kwara State

Coordinator:  Jumoke Olaoye (ACLO)

Phone:  07068468408

Email:  [email protected]

 Lagos StateAddress:  20 Olorunnimbe Street, Wema

bod Estate, Adeniyi Jones Avenue-Ikeja.

Coordinator:  Lucas Koyejo (ADL)

Phone:  08037213380

Email:  [email protected]

 Nasarawa StateAddress:  Behind Angel Academy,

Off Alkali Street, Off Jos Road,

Lafia, Nasarawa State.

Coordinator:  Nor Chia Shaku (CIO)

Phone:  08033639276

Email:  [email protected]
Niger StateAddress:  Abdullahi Kure House, Muazu

Mohammed Road Minna.

Coordinator:  Nuhu Mohammed (ADP)

Phone:  08033365395, 08074186745

Email:  [email protected]

 Ogun StateAddress:  No. 27, Kuforji Olubi Drive,

Adigbe, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Coordinator:  Shodeinde Oluwaponmile

Phone:  08058133007

Email:  [email protected]

 Ondo StateAddress:  Road M, House No. 6 2nd

Gate, Oba-Ile Housing Estate, Akure

Coordinator:  Sunday Oyewole (ACIO)

Phone:  08036307849

Email:  [email protected]
Osun StateAddress:  Block L Plot 33, Oroki

Housing Estate, Oshogbo.

Coordinator:  Abayomi Ogundele (ADI)

Phone:  07031555539

Email:  [email protected]

 Oyo StateAddress:  Basement Floor, Federal

Secretariat Complex, Ikolaba, Ibadan

Coordinator:  Akintayo Olamide

Phone:  08060666916

Email:  [email protected]

 Plateau StateAddress:  Plot 12677, Laminga/Liberty

Dam Road, Rikkos Village, Jos

Coordinator:  Pam Grace ((DDL)

Phone:  08033453245

Email:  [email protected]
Rivers StateAddress:  No. 2 Temple Ejekwa Close,

Port-Harcourt.

Coordinator:  Chinwe Okoroji(ADI)

Phone:  08036747115

Email:  [email protected]

 Sokoto StateAddress:  Investment House, Kano Road

Sokoto, Sokoto State

Coordinator:  Hamza Liman (PLO)

Phone:  07039356635

Email:  [email protected]

 Taraba StateAddress:  Magarmi Road, Jalingo,

Taraba State.

Coordinator:  Yakubu Usman Garfa

(CIO)

Phone:  08032862220

Email:  [email protected]
Yobe StateAddress:  Federal Secretariat

         Complex, 1st Floor,

         Opposite YBC, Gashua Road,

         Damaturu, Yobe State.

Coordinator:  Babangida Labaran

(ACIO)

Phone:  08035332628

Email:  [email protected]

 Zamfara StateAddress:  Zamfara Trade Centre,

Sokoto Road, Gusau.

Coordinator:  Abdullahi Abubakar

(ACIO)

Phone:  07064315164

Email:  [email protected]

 Benue StateAddress:  MDGs Office Complex,

Kuanum Acka Street, Makurdi

Coordinator:  Tyover Joshua

Aondotindi (ACLO)

Phone:  08136730830

Email:  [email protected]

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.

#SabiLaw

#DailyLawTips

#SabiBusinessLaw

#SabiElectionLaws

#SabiHumanRights

#SabiLawOnBeatFm

#SabiLawLectureSeries

#CriminalJusticeMonday

#SabiLawVideoChallenge

Speak with the writer, ask questions or make inquiries on this topic or any other via [email protected] or [email protected] or +2348037665878. To receive our free Daily Law Tips, follow our Facebook Page:@LearnNigerianLaws, Instagram:

@LearnNigerianLaws and Twitter: @LearnNigeriaLaw

Please share this publication for free till it gets to those that need it most. Save a Nigerian today! NOTE: Sharing, modifying or publishing this publication without giving credit to Onyekachi Umah, Esq. and “LearnNigerianLaws.com” is a criminal breach of copyright and will be prosecuted.

This publication is the writer’s view not a legal advice and does not create any form of relationship. You may reach the writer for more information.

Powered by www.LearnNigerianLaws.com {A Free Law Awareness Program of Sabi Law Foundation, supported by the law firm of Bezaleel Chambers International (BCI).}