NHRC boss Tony Ojukwu elected VP of Africa's torture prevention network
NHRC Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu SAN was elected Vice-President of the African National Preventive Mechanisms Network (ANPMN) at its Fourth Annual Conference in Kigali, Rwanda on June 26, 2026. Philile Ntuli of South Africa's Human Rights Commission became ANPMN President. The ANPMN, whose secretariat is in Morocco, works to prevent torture by monitoring prisons and detention centers across Africa under the UN's OPCAT treaty.
This matters for Nigerians because ANPMN's work directly impacts how people in custody are treated - from police cells to prisons. Nigeria's leadership position means Nigerians could see improved protections against torture and ill-treatment in detention facilities, both domestically and for Nigerians detained abroad. Ojukwu's election follows his recent role as President of the West African NHRI network, showing growing regional influence.
Nigeria's NHRC has been pushing for stronger torture prevention domestically. This continental role may bring more resources and expertise back to Nigeria. With ANPMN focusing on sharing best practices and technical cooperation, Nigeria's police, prisons, and courts could benefit from improved monitoring standards.
Will Nigeria's leadership in ANPMN lead to tangible reductions in torture cases within Nigerian detention centers, or will it remain mostly symbolic without domestic implementation?