LEGAL REMEDIES AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

It is a trite that no criminal act or omission should go without punishment. Injury to one is injury to all. The violation of one person’s human rights is thus an attack on every person’s human rights. The importance of accountability of human rights violators at all times can therefore, not be overemphasized both as a defensive means of prevention of violation, and a compensatory mechanism for victims of human rights violations. Legal mechanisms and judicial remedies have been provided in Nigeria especially under the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Rules, 2009, for the enforcement of human rights, enforcement of such legal remedies have remained needlessly chancy, leaving victorious victims with the same status quo ante lite. Where persons are unable to concretize/access their human rights remedies by enforcement, the relevance of the whole legislative effort and judicial process is called to question and human rights is further brought to ridicule. This article highlights the legal remedies for human rights violations and provides a practical guide to enforcement of such remedies even against State parties and individuals.