ABUJA — A high-level delegation from India’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) met with the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on Monday to discuss strategies for enhancing access to justice and strengthening the judiciary's role in protecting human rights.
The visit was led by Justice V. Ramasubramanian, a retired Supreme Court of India judge and the head of India’s NHRC. He was accompanied by Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, the Executive Secretary of Nigeria’s NHRC, along with other senior officials from the Commission. The primary objective of the trip was to formalize a partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two bodies.
Although the meeting with the CJN and her fellow Supreme Court justices was held behind closed doors, Dr. Ojukwu briefed journalists on the outcomes. He stated that the discussions focused on guaranteeing speedy justice for victims of rights violations and ensuring effective collaboration between human rights institutions and the judiciary. Ojukwu noted that the CJN reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to working closely with the NHRC to benefit the people of Nigeria.
Dr. Ojukwu emphasized that the partnership aims to share best practices in public interest litigation, a field where both commissions operate similarly. He explained that the MoU will facilitate the exchange of good practices between India and Nigeria, ensuring that cases involving human rights violations are given expedited action in court. “This partnership will strengthen access to justice and the promotion and protection of human rights,” Ojukwu said.
Justice Ramasubramanian described the meeting as “very fruitful” and stated that the visit was primarily intended to sign the MoU, which he believes will benefit both nations. He highlighted the importance of human rights institutions working hand in hand with the judiciary to ensure that everyone has access to justice and that their rights are respected.
The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to leveraging international judicial experiences to improve domestic legal frameworks. By aligning their efforts, the Nigerian and Indian commissions aim to enhance the efficiency of rights protection mechanisms and ensure that the judiciary remains a robust pillar for justice in both countries.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
