ACJHR annual conference to focus on vindictive practices, human rights violations in West Africa

The upcoming Annual Conference of West African Human Rights Watch Groups, sponsored by the African Center for Justice and Human Rights (ACJHR), will focus on the performance of West African governments in their fight against corruption and their commitment to fair and diligent prosecution.

The conference, set to take place in Accra, Ghana, next week, will also examine the impact of vindictive practices, such as prolonged detention, multiple charges in different jurisdictions, media trials, and intimidation, on the effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts in the sub-region.

One of the key cases to be discussed is that of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor Godwin Emefiele, who has faced prolonged detention and a barrage of charges, including terrorism, economic sabotage, and corruption, which the Nigerian government has yet to prove. The ACJHR will also consider other instances of denied fair trials in West Africa, including in countries like Togo, Chad, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

During a press briefing at La Palm Beach Hotel in Accra, Conference Organising Committee chairman John Akufo highlighted the case of Emefiele, emphasizing the prolonged detention, abuse of court orders, media trials, and public humiliation the former CBN governor has endured. Akufo stated that these issues have caught the attention of the human rights community, prompting a review and possible action at the conference.

“If, after reviewing the facts and evidence, we find there is more to the case, the apex West African Human Rights gathering will declare the trial as political and advocate for Nigerians to pressure their government and the courts to discharge Emefiele and stop the prosecution,” Akufo stated.

The group pointed out that the suspension of Emefiele at the onset of the current Nigerian administration might have had political undertones, potentially linked to his policies during the build-up to the 2023 general election. There were accusations from then-presidential candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu that the CBN’s Naira swap policy was aimed at undermining his campaign.

Akufo added that if their investigation reveals that Emefiele’s detention and charges were politically motivated, the conference would press for his immediate release and fair treatment. He expressed concern that political persecution and unjust trials are becoming a worrying trend in West Africa and beyond.

The conference’s focus on these issues aims to ensure that West African governments uphold human rights standards and pursue justice without political bias or persecution. It underscores the importance of fair trials and the need to prevent misuse of legal systems for political purposes.