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.
Abia StateAddress: No. 9, Item Street,
Off Calabar Road, Umuahia, Abia State. Coordinator: Uche Nwokocha (DDL) Phone: 08033473732, 09024425728 Email: nhrcabia@nhrc.gov.ng |
Adamawa StateAddress: No. 14 Atiku Abubakar Way,
Jimeta, Yola, Coordinator: Mamza Grace Phone: 07031831522 Email: nhrcadamawa@nhrc.gov.ng |
Akwa Ibom StateAddress: No.160 Nwaniba Road
Uyo. Coordinator: Anthony A. Iji(ACIO) Phone: 08035403780 Email: nhrcakwaibom@nhrc.gov.ng |
Anambra StateAddress: Block 21 Government House,
Old Secretariat, Awka, Anambra State. Coordinator: Ugwanyi Nkechi F. (ADI) Phone: 07059446331 Email: nhrcanambra@nhrc.gov.ng |
Bauchi StateAddress: No.8, Justice Sabo Suleiman
Darazo Complex, Yelwa Dass Road, Bauchi, Bauchi State Coordinator: Yahcit Susan Dala (CLO) Phone: 08023400439 Email: nhrcbauchi@nhrc.gov.ng |
Bayelsa StateAddress: No. 69 Saptex Road,
Yenezue Epie, Yenegoa Bayelsa State. Coordinator: Eugene Baadom (CIO) Phone: 08035424022 Email: nhrcbayelsa@nhrc.gov.ng |
Borno StateAddress: No. 4 Bama Road,
Maiduguri, Borno State Ag. Coordinator: Jummai Usman Mshelia (CIO) Phone: 08067833036 Email: nhrcborno@nhrc.gov.ng |
Cross Rivers StateAddress: No.39 Okoro Agbor,
Ibom Layout Calabar Coordinator: Ebele U. Menekaya (ADR) Phone: 08037135494 Email: nhrccalabar@nhrc.gov.ng |
Delta StateAddress: No. 10 Maryam Babangida
Way, Opp.SUBEB), Asaba, Delta Coordinator: Ngwu Alpheus (CLO) Phone: 08039463100 Email: nhrcdelta@nhrc.gov.ng |
Ebonyi StateAddress: Ebonyi State Secretariat,
Nnorom Street, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. Coordinator: Okorie .C. Onyekachi Christopher (ADR) Phone: 08130011525 Email: nhrcebonyi@nhrc.gov.ng |
Edo StateAddress: No. 41 A 2nd East Circular
Road, Benin, Edo State Coordinator: Sani Momodu (ADI) Phone: 08035970230 Email: nhrcedo@nhrc.gov.ng |
Ekiti StateAddress: Iyin Road, Basiri,
Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State. Ag. Coordinator: Jamiu Abiodun Adigun (ACEO) Phone: 08034100285, 08186885278 Email: nhrcekiti@nhrc.gov.ng |
Enugu StateAddress: No. 3, Ezeagu Street,
New Haven, Enugu. Coordinator: Valentine Ekeoma Madubuko(ADI) Phone: 08037722569 Email: nhrcenugu@nhrc.gov.ng |
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: nhrcgombe@nhrc.gov.ng |
Imo StateAddress: No. 7, Musa Yar’Adua Drive,
Off Onitsha Road, owerri – Imo State Coordinator: Uka Ukachi Martha Phone: 08039494207 Email: nhrcimo@nhrc.gov.ng |
Jigawa StateAddress: G9, Western BlocK Behind
Radio Jigawa, Dutse. Coordinator: Aminu Inuwa Adamu (PIO) Phone: 08030637049 Email: nhrcjigawa@nhrc.gov.ng |
Kaduna StateAddress: Baron House, Muhammadu ,
Buhari Way, Kaduna. Coordinator: Terngu Gwar (CRO) Phone: 08037739448 Email: nhrckaduna@nhrc.gov.ng |
Kano StateAddress: Plot 313, Gyadi-Gyadi,
New Hospital Road, Kano. Coordinator: Shehu Abdullahi (CIO) Phone: 08032833051 Email: nhrckano@nhrc.gov.ng |
Katsina StateAddress: No. 3, Nagogo Road, GRA
Katsina Katsina State Coordinator: Kasimu .A. Umaru Phone: 08031166282 Email: nhrckatsina@nhrc.gov.ng |
Kebbi StateAddress: Abubakar Musa Garkuwa
Street, Gesse Phase 1 Birnin-Kebbi Coordinator: Tijjani Ladan Phone: 08035913393 Email: nhrckebbi@nhrc.gov.ng |
Kogi StateAddress: Olubayo Housing Estate,
Ganaja Road, Lokoja. Coordinator: Nuhu Musa Mohammed Phone: 08033645844 Email: nhrckogi@nhrc.gov.ng |
Kwara StateAddress: No. 3 old Jebba Road,
Ilorin, Kwara State Coordinator: Jumoke Olaoye (ACLO) Phone: 07068468408 Email: nhrckwara@nhrc.gov.ng |
Lagos StateAddress: 20 Olorunnimbe Street, Wema
bod Estate, Adeniyi Jones Avenue-Ikeja. Coordinator: Lucas Koyejo (ADL) Phone: 08037213380 Email: nhrclagos@nhrc.gov.ng |
Nasarawa StateAddress: Behind Angel Academy,
Off Alkali Street, Off Jos Road, Lafia, Nasarawa State. Coordinator: Nor Chia Shaku (CIO) Phone: 08033639276 Email: nhrcnassarawa@nhrc.gov.ng |
Niger StateAddress: Abdullahi Kure House, Muazu
Mohammed Road Minna. Coordinator: Nuhu Mohammed (ADP) Phone: 08033365395, 08074186745 Email: nhrcniger@nhrc.gov.ng |
Ogun StateAddress: No. 27, Kuforji Olubi Drive,
Adigbe, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Coordinator: Shodeinde Oluwaponmile Phone: 08058133007 Email: nhrcogun@nhrc.gov.ng |
Ondo StateAddress: Road M, House No. 6 2nd
Gate, Oba-Ile Housing Estate, Akure Coordinator: Sunday Oyewole (ACIO) Phone: 08036307849 Email: nhrcondo@nhrc.gov.ng |
Osun StateAddress: Block L Plot 33, Oroki
Housing Estate, Oshogbo. Coordinator: Abayomi Ogundele (ADI) Phone: 07031555539 Email: nhrcosun@nhrc.gov.ng |
Oyo StateAddress: Basement Floor, Federal
Secretariat Complex, Ikolaba, Ibadan Coordinator: Akintayo Olamide Phone: 08060666916 Email: nhrcoyo@nhrc.gov.ng |
Plateau StateAddress: Plot 12677, Laminga/Liberty
Dam Road, Rikkos Village, Jos Coordinator: Pam Grace ((DDL) Phone: 08033453245 Email: nhrcplateau@nhrc.gov.ng |
Rivers StateAddress: No. 2 Temple Ejekwa Close,
Port-Harcourt. Coordinator: Chinwe Okoroji(ADI) Phone: 08036747115 Email: nhrcrivers@nhrc.gov.ng |
Sokoto StateAddress: Investment House, Kano Road
Sokoto, Sokoto State Coordinator: Hamza Liman (PLO) Phone: 07039356635 Email: nhrcsokoto@nhrc.gov.ng |
Taraba StateAddress: Magarmi Road, Jalingo,
Taraba State. Coordinator: Yakubu Usman Garfa (CIO) Phone: 08032862220 Email: nhrctaraba@nhrc.gov.ng |
Yobe StateAddress: Federal Secretariat
Complex, 1st Floor, Opposite YBC, Gashua Road, Damaturu, Yobe State. Coordinator: Babangida Labaran (ACIO) Phone: 08035332628 Email: nhrcyobe@nhrc.gov.ng |
Zamfara StateAddress: Zamfara Trade Centre,
Sokoto Road, Gusau. Coordinator: Abdullahi Abubakar (ACIO) Phone: 07064315164 Email: nhrczamfara@nhrc.gov.ng |
Benue StateAddress: MDGs Office Complex,
Kuanum Acka Street, Makurdi Coordinator: Tyover Joshua Aondotindi (ACLO) Phone: 08136730830 Email: nhrcbenue@nhrc.gov.ng |
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:
- Sections 1, 2, 3, 24, 33, 34, 318 and 319 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.
- Sections 6, 7, 8 and 22 of the National Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Act 2010.
- Sections 1, 2, 5 and 6, the National Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Act 1995.
- 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)
- 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).
- 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).
- National Human Rights Commission, ‘State Offices” (NHRC) <http://www.nhrc.gov.ng/index.php/regional-offices#zamfara > accessed 27
- 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.
- 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
- 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 info@LearnNigerianLaws.com or onyekachi.umah@gmail.com 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).}