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The National Human
Rights Commission (NHRC) has formally demanded the prosecution and
dismissal of an army personnel who viciously attacked a civilian with a
combat belt, leaving him blind in both eyes, in a typical case of
unrelenting violence by security operatives against civilians.

Joseph Agu’s fate
was brought to the fore during a public tribunal on police abuses held
in Imo State by the commission in collaboration with the Network on
Police Reforms in Nigeria (NOPRIN) a forthnight ago. A former truck
driver in Enugu State, Mr. Agwu was allegedly assaulted by Francis
Ogah, an army sergeant attached to the force 82nd division, Enugu, in
January 2009.

Although details of
the previous events are unclear, the sergeant reportedly cornered Mr.
Agwu’s truck with a Mitsubishi bus, hauled him out, before handing him
several blows on the eyes with the metallic belt fastener, severely
injuring the victim’s both eyes, Mr. Agwu said in testimony at the
tribunal.

Rather than a
relief after medical treatments spanning more than one year, Mr. Agwu
totally lost his sight amid repeated complaints to the military
authorities, who allegedly offered him no proper medical attention or
compensation.

He said in his
testimony that he personally financed the treatment through proceeds he
raised from the sales of his family and personal belongings.

The public
tribunal, which had appointed adjudicators, featured several such heart
rending tales, mostly against the police and its officers in numerous
abuses against the civil populace they are paid to protect.

Sanctions for perpetrators

In the communiqué
released at the weekend, the NHRC recommended sanctions against the
perpetrators, and compensations too for their victims or the families,
with a promise to table the complaints to the highest authorities.

The commission also
formally demanded the prosecution and dismissal of Mr. Ogah, in a
petition sent to the minister of defence, Adetokunbo Kayode, dated
August 30, 2010, in one of a few such cases championed by the
government institution.

“Your urgent
intervention will be in accordance with the principle of rule of law
and respect for human rights of which you are one of the key proponents
in this administration,” the letter, signed by Tony Ojukwu, on behalf
of the commission’s executive secretary.

Amongst other things, the commission asked Mr. Kayode to ensure that
the accused is released for full investigations and prosecutions while
a befitting medical attention and compensation is given Mr. Agwu.