In Christianity, fundamental rights are often viewed through the lens of human dignity and the belief that all individuals are created in the image of God. Key rights within this framework include freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, and the right to a moral and religious upbringing, as well as the right to love and serve God and others. These rights are considered to be divinely ordained, underscoring the inherent value of each person.
Nigerian citizens are entitled to a range of fundamental human rights under the 1999 Constitution (as amended). These rights include the right to life, dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy. Additionally, individuals have the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, freedom of expression and the press, peaceful assembly and association, freedom of movement, freedom from discrimination, and the right to acquire and own property.
On 3rd May 2025, at the Event Centre, Igbogbo Divisional Police Station in Ikorodu, Lagos State, a gathering was held to discuss the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens, particularly in relation to religious faith and the implementation of laws without restrictions. Evang Comrade Abolurin Oludare, the PRO of CCC Shepherds Welfare Committee and Unit Coordinator of CDHR Ikorodu, hosted thousands of attendees, including the Chairman of CDHR Board of Trustees, Comrade Femi Falana, SAN. The event served as an informative platform where participants engaged in discussions on key issues affecting the rights of individuals as Nigerian citizens.
COMMUNIQUE OF CDHR IKORODU CENTRAL UNIT STAKE HOLDERS’
FORUM ON THE THEME: “HUMAN RIGHTS: OUR COMMONWEALTH” HELD ON SATURDAY 3RD MAY, 2025.
In furtherance of a cardinal objective of our organisation, which includes community sensitisation and rights advocacy, the CDHR Ikorodu Central Unit held its stakeholders’ forum on human rights on the 3rd of May, 2025 at the Event Centre, Igbogbo Divisional Police Station, Ikorodu.
Participants were drawn from the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) Ikorodu branch, Federation of Women Lawyers,(FIDA), Nigeria Police divisions within Ikorodu town, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ikorodu Command, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Students Union Govt. LASUSTECH and the general public.
Femi Falana SAN who is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (CDHR) was the guest speaker while Comrade Malachy Ugwummadu was the Chairman of the occasion with the compliments of other dignitaries and Comrades including Comrade Shina Loremikan. The Forum focused on the state of human rights in Nigeria vis-a-vis the relevant legislations applicable to rights issues including the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Altered); the Nigeria Police (Establishment) Act, 2020; the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015; the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024, the Anti-Torture Act, 2017, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and Law etc. The Forum rose with the following resolutions:
a) The CDHR Congratulates the Lagos State Ministry of Justice and the Directorate of Public Prosecution, Lagos State for the successful prosecution of the convicted BRT bus driver, Andrew Nice Ominikoron but resolves that the Lagos State Government being the employer of the condemned Defendant must also be held vicariously liable for a just and fair compensation to the family of the deceased Oluwabamishe Ayanwola.
b) The Nigerian Police Force should replicate the establishment of the “Human Rights Desks” in all police stations across the country as has been done in the Lagos State Police Command at the instance of CDHR.
c) Intensify efforts and leverage on S. 34(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act as well as its equivalent under the Law to insist on the appointment of designated Magistrates, monitor & accompany them for their monthly visitations to all detention facilities.
c)All STAKE -HOLDERS including Governments at all strata, agencies and citizens must ensure that the enforcement of all the rights of citizens including the socio-economic rights under the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy must be respected and enforceable.
The Forum challenged all members and participants to remain steadfast and lead the charge in this noble struggle
For the masses
Cmr. F. O. Akika Unit Secretary
Cmr. Abolurin Oludare FCCA,FBIM Unit Coordinator
