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The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said it shall commence legal proceedings against the Nigerian Army for what it described as the gross violation of the human rights of one Dr Raphael Onyemekehia.
The association made this known in a statement signed by Jonathan Ekperusi (Esq.), Chairman of the Effurun branch of the NBA.
According to the statement, Dr Onyemekehia was returning from work when he was accosted by personnel of the Nigerian Army, claiming to be enforcing the curfew imposed by the Delta State Government, allegedly assaulted the doctor.
“We are informed that despite introducing himself as a Medical Doctor and showing his identity (ID) card to the Soldiers, they thoroughly humiliated and tortured Dr. Raphael Onyemekehia by forcing him to swim in the gutter for about 30 minutes at gunpoint and flogging him whilst he was complying with the inhuman, dehumanizing, degrading and tortuous punishment,” the statement reads.
The NBA condemned in the strongest terms, the torture and dehumanizing treatment allegedly meted out on Dr Onyemekehia, who is a Consultant Nephrologist and Proprietor of Mount Horeb Clinic & Dialysis Centre, Effurun.
The association consequently is demanding immediate apology and payment of adequate compensation to Onyemekehia by the Nigerian Army.
“We further demand that the perpetrators of the dastardly act be immediately fished out and appropriate disciplinary measures enforced against them.
“Should the Nigerian Army fail, refuse and/or neglect to comply with these demands, the Human Rights Committee of the NBA Effurun Branch shall commence legal proceedings against the Army to remediate the said injustices,” the statement reads.
Read full statement below:
The Nigerian Bar Association, Effurun Branch condemns the Gross Violation of Dr. Raphael Onyemekehia’s Fundamental Rights in Effurun, Delta State on Saturday, 24 October, 2020; Demands for Apology, Adequate Compensation and Discipline Against Soldiers.
The attention of the Nigerian Bar Association, Effurun Branch has been drawn to the gross violation of the fundamental rights of Dr. Raphael Onyemekehia of Mount Horeb Clinic & Dialysis Centre, Effurun, Delta State by personnel of the Nigerian Army on Saturday, 24 October, 2020 at Airport Junction, Effurun, Delta State.
Reports reaching us from the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Warri revealed that Dr. Raphael Onyemekehia was returning from work when he was accosted by overzealous Nigerian Army personnel who claimed to be enforcing the curfew imposed by the Delta State Government.
We are informed that despite introducing himself as a Medical Doctor and showing his identity (ID) card to the Soldiers, they thoroughly humiliated and tortured Dr. Raphael Onyemekehia by forcing him to swim in the gutter for about 30 minutes at gunpoint and flogging him whilst he was complying with the inhuman, dehumanizing, degrading and tortuous punishment.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Effurun Branch condemns in the strongest terms, the torture and dehumanizing treatment meted out on Dr. Raphael Onyemekehia, a Consultant Nephrologist and Proprietor of Mount Horeb Clinic & Dialysis Centre, Effurun by the Army. At a time when the nation is trying to recover from the sad incidence involving the Army and the #EndSARS Protesters at Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos, we find the gross violation of the fundamental rights of Dr. Raphael Onyemekehia insensitive and callous. The conduct of the Soldiers grossly violates the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, the Anti-Torture Act and other applicable instruments. We believe that the Soldiers knew or ought reasonably to have known that Dr. Raphael Onyemekehia, as a Medical Doctor, is an essential services personnel, exempted from the curfew restrictions.
Consequently, we hereby demand immediate apology and payment of adequate compensation to Dr. Raphael Onyemekehia by the Nigerian Army. We further demand that the perpetrators of the dastardly act by immediately fished out and appropriate disciplinary measures enforced against them. Should the Nigerian Army fail, refuse and/or neglect to comply with these demands, the Human Rights Committee of the NBA Effurun Branch shall commence legal proceedings against the Army to remediate the said injustices.