Human Rights Commission calls for decriminalisation of petty offences

By Peter Bahago, Abuja

The National Human Rights Commission in Nigeria has called on governments in Africa to consider the use of non-custodial actions as alternatives to conventional sentencing,

The commission says that petty offences should not attract any form of sentencing.

Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Tony Ojukwu stated this in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital during a consultative meeting on Road map for the Development of Action Plan on Decriminalisation of petty offences in Africa.

The consultative meeting which was organised in collaboration with the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions, NANHRI, is aimed at galvanising critical stakeholders to discuss issues of decriminalisation of petty offences in the African Region.

Minor Offences
In a statement by the  Assistant Director Public Affairs of the Commission, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed,  the Chief Human Rights Officer noted that most of the awaiting trial inmates in our correctional centers in Africa are arrested for minor offences like begging, hawking, loitering, failure to pay debts amongs others.

He said a good number of such inmates have been held in custody for longer than necessary, in flagrant violation of their human rights as guaranteed by the African Charter of Human and People’s Rights.

“I therefore called on key stakeholders in the criminal justice system to be committed in pushing for best practices in the administration of criminal justice, bearing in mind that petty offences have a strong link with poverty as well as social and economic issues that affect the dignity of the human person,” he said.

Reforms in Correctional Service Centers
He reiterated that the National Human Rights Commission in Nigeria, as a key stakeholder in the criminal justice system has been involved in initiatives geared towards reforms in correctional service centers in the county and that it will continue to highlight and push for more initiative and best practices in the criminal justice system.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, House Committee on Human Rights in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Mr. John Dyegh, represented by his Deputy, Mr. Kawu Simon Elisha, stated that petty offences grossly violate the rights and freedom of the perpetrators.

He said the degree of offences are not sufficient for confinement in correctional centers or restriction of movement whatsoever.

According to the Lawmaker, “sensitisation of law enforcement agencies as well as correctional service personnel on offences sufficient for arrest in order to reduce prison congestion is necessary.”

Speaking on behalf of NANHRI, the Programme Officer NANRI, Phanice Akinyi Odhacha stated that her organisation has a great interest in decriminalisation of petty offences in Africa.

She was also optimistic of major reforms in the justice system, saying that the commission is empowered to champion the course.

Confidence Okwuchi