The Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters has screened and cleared 16 nominees for appointment to the governing board of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), including President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba.
The committee, chaired by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, concluded the screening exercise following President Bola Tinubu’s request for Senate confirmation of the reconstituted board. Its report has been forwarded to the Senate for consideration at plenary.
Speaking after the screening, Anaba, who is also editor of Vanguard Newspapers, said his nomination offered an opportunity to continue contributing to human rights protection, a responsibility he described as closely linked to his journalism career.
He, however, cautioned against describing the screening committee’s clearance as final confirmation, noting that the nominees must still await the Senate’s decision.
Anaba expressed confidence that the professional experience of the nominees would strengthen the commission’s capacity to protect the rights of Nigerians.
Committee Chairman Adegbonmire said the committee’s recommendations would be presented to the Senate, after which its decision would be communicated to the President through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
He explained that the NHRC governing board comprises 16 members, including representatives of the Federal Ministries of Justice, Interior and Foreign Affairs. The ministry representatives were not individually screened because the law specifies the offices to be represented rather than particular nominees.
The commission’s serving Executive Secretary, Anthony Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was also screened during the exercise.
During the proceedings, senators urged the nominees to demonstrate integrity, patriotism and commitment to the national interest if confirmed. Senator Peter Jiya, representing Niger South, stressed the need for the board members to prioritise public service and the protection of citizens’ rights.
Other nominees include Channels Television’s Maupe Ogun-Yusuf, Nigerian Television Authority’s Ayo Adewuyi, and lawyer Chinonye Obiaku, SAN. Salamatu Suleiman was nominated as chairperson-designate, while Ojukwu was retained as executive secretary.
President Tinubu had in April sought Senate confirmation for the reconstitution of the board in line with Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which requires Senate confirmation before the board can formally assume office.
The NHRC is mandated to promote and protect human rights, investigate alleged violations and encourage compliance with national and international human rights standards.
The nominees will await the Senate’s decision at plenary before the confirmation process can be concluded.
