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Activists seek financial autonomy for judiciary

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Nigerians will continue to experience open violation of their fundamental human rights as long as the judiciary remains under the wings of the executive and is denied financial autonomy.

Speakers at the 2014 World Human Rights Day commemorated in Benin City by civil society organisations and human rights activists like Austyn Osakue, Dr Philip Ugbodaga, Comrade Desmond Agbama, Barrister L.O. Alao were, however, of the opinion that one way forward is for greater awareness campaigns in Nigeria.

The speakers also stated that law officers and the judiciary cannot do much to protect the rights of the citizenry if they are not sufficiently empowered to so. They said human rights are God-given rights; they are bestowed on human beings by God and the universal declaration of such rights by  the United Nations goes to show that they are not subject to the whims of powers that be. They argued that regrettably, most Nigerians are ignorant of their rights, though Sections 33 to 49 of the Nigerian Constitution as amended contain the fundamental human rights of Nigerians.

They say that these rights are daily being violated by the state, law enforcement organisations and security agencies and the very people elected to enforce them on behalf of Nigerians.

“Many Nigerians do not know that rights are God-given and so are natural, flowing from natural laws given by the creator for the benefit of all mankind. They are afraid of enforcing these rights and so willing to mortgage same for peanuts.”

They said the very future of the nation’s democracy is dependent on how well Nigerians know their rights and are ready to do all in their power to enforce those rights in their personal and societal interests.

The post Activists seek financial autonomy for judiciary appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.


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