The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has voiced opposition to the proposed Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill, arguing that existing Nigerian laws already provide adequate safeguards for fundamental rights.
Fagbemi’s position was delivered through the Chief of State Counsel, Reuben Imarha, at a public hearing by the House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights in Abuja on Wednesday.
The hearing examined two key legislations: the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill, aimed at protecting civil society actors, journalists, lawyers, whistleblowers, faith leaders, and other citizens advocating for constitutional rights; and the bill seeking to repeal and re-enact the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Act, to strengthen the commission’s powers and operations.
While acknowledging gaps in enforcement, Fagbemi warned that introducing a separate law for human rights defenders could create “duplication and institutional conflict,” urging the National Assembly to instead strengthen and adequately fund existing institutions.
“We are strongly against the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill,” he said, calling on the House to drop the proposed legislation.
However, Fagbemi expressed conditional support for the NHRC reform bill, raising concerns over specific clauses. He criticized Clause 5(2)(b), which mandates businesses to obtain annual human rights compliance certificates, saying it could hinder investment.
He also questioned Clause 15, allowing the commission to borrow funds for cases without oversight, and Clause 16(2)(b), proposing a 0.3 per cent levy on corporate profits, which he described as a quasi-tax that should align with ongoing federal tax reforms.
Civil society representatives disagreed. Jude Ohanele, Programme Director of Development Dynamics, argued the Human Rights Defenders Bill would strengthen democratic governance, boost investor confidence, and provide lawful channels for citizen grievances.
Similarly, Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the NHRC, supported stronger legal backing for the commission, stressing the need for financial resources to enforce human rights through the Federal High Court.
Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, urged the National Assembly to pass the NHRC amendment before August to bolster human rights protections.
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