The efficacy of the Nigerian human rights violation investigation commission (Oputa Commission) in the process of transitional justice (1966–1999)

Abstract

The purpose of the efficacy of the Human Rights Violation Investigation Commission (Oputa Commission) in the Process of Transitional Justice (1966- 1999) is to explore the range of political and human rights problems that confronted Nigeria from colonial times, exacerbated by military incursion into governance in 1966. As the colonial period laid the foundation for ethnic and religious politics, the period of military rule brought moral, physical and institutional decay to Nigeria. The motivations of these military rulers were not driven by service to the country but personal gratification and accumulation of wealth. Corruption assumed pandemic proportions. Military leaders not only looted the coffers of the state but, like other dictators, their actions were above the law. They hounded, terrorised and jailed journalists, academics, human rights activists and all those who disagreed with them or their policies. Attempts to deal with these various problems of governance, which resulted in cases of gross violation of human rights, led to the Human Rights Violation Investigation Commission (the Oputa Commission) being established with a broad mandate to investigate past abuse and reconcile the peoples of Nigeria, so that harmony could be restored. The Oputa Commission, through its work, traversed the country and brought to light gory tales of past abuse in such a way that no one could deny they ever happened. The submissions received by the Commission revealed that all ethnic clusters or regional groups in Nigeria felt marginalised and cheated in federation. This general feeling of anger made the Commission’s work towards the restoration of harmony in the country even more urgent and important. The thesis will review Nigeria’s role to assess whether the country during the period under review complied with its international human rights obligations. The thesis finally discusses the lessons from the Oputa Commission as a transitional justice mechanism for Nigerians, and perhaps other nations emerging from war and/or human rights violations. This is important, considering the challenges of unity and national development of the Nigerian State. A comparative analysis of other countries with a history of authoritarianism and human rights violations will be made to evaluate whether the Oputa Commission achieved its mandate.