Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in its capacity as Nigeria’s National Preventive Mechanism under the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture (OPCAT), has announced the election of its Executive Secretary, Chief Anthony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, as Vice-President of the African National Preventive Mechanisms Network, ANPMN. This was contained in a statement signed by Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Director, Corporate Affairs, and External Linkages.
The statement reads in part: “Chief Ojukwu was elected on 26 June 2026 during the Fourth Annual Conference of ANPMN held in Kigali, Rwanda.
The conference, themed “Women and Children in Detention: Gender-responsive and Child-sensitive National Preventive Mechanism Approaches,” coincided with the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
“The timing reinforces Africa’s renewed commitment to preventing torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
“The newly elected ANPMN Steering Committee for the next term comprises:
President: Commissioner Philile Ntuli, South African Human Rights Commission, South Africa
Vice-President: Chief Anthony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria.
Steering Committee Members: Morocco, Rwanda, Mozambique, Mali, Senegal, and Mauritania
“ANPMN is the continental platform for National Preventive Mechanisms established under the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture, OPCAT. The Network serves as a strategic forum for strengthening preventive monitoring of places of deprivation of liberty, sharing best practices, enhancing technical cooperation among African NPMs, and advancing torture prevention across the continent. Its permanent secretary is hosted in Rabat, Morocco.
“The Commission describes the Executive Secretary’s election to this high continental office as significant recognition of his distinguished leadership in torture prevention, and of NHRC’s growing reputation in promoting preventive monitoring and protecting the rights of persons deprived of their liberty.
“It further reflects the confidence reposed in Nigeria’s National Preventive Mechanism and the Commission’s contributions to regional human rights initiatives,” it also added.
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