Group Canvasses Stiff Penalties For Torture

A Non-Governmental Organisation, ANPEZ Centre for Environment and Development has called for stiff penalties for all forms of torture to rid the society of such dehumanisation acts.

Executive Director of the body, Barr Everest Nwankwo made the call in Port Harcourt recently during a Torture Prevention and Rights Awareness campaign held at the Conference Hall of the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Port Harcourt.

Barrister Nwankwo, who lamented the rise in the spirit of aggression in the society, stated that torture should be made a criminal offence, while perpetrators should be made to face the full wrath of the law.

He regretted that the law enforcement agents that should check the tendency were at the root of the act and called for proper awareness campaign to end the agonising practice.

The Executive Director said the programme was funded by the European Union, to carry out campaign against torture, and pointed out that the NGO will work with relevant organisations and institutions like, the Civil Society Organisations, the law enforcement agencies and the Rivers State House of Assembly to carry out the campaign.

Speaking at the event, the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr Mbu Joseph Mbu, said the police was poised to protecting the lives of Nigerians against torture, and assured strict compliance in the implementation of local and international laws against torture.

The Commissioner of Police who was represented by the Divisional Police Officer, Elekahia Police Station, Sogbeba Dulphine West, also assured of proper training of its officers on the handling of civil matters.

Taneh Beemene