US Report Flags Security and Justice Concerns in Nigeria

The United States government has raised serious concerns about Nigeria’s security and justice delivery systems, citing cases of enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and prolonged pre-trial delays.

In its 2024 Country Report on Human Rights Practices, released by the Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, the US highlighted systemic issues in Nigeria’s justice sector. It noted that although the law requires suspects to be brought before a magistrate within 48 hours and initial pre-trial detention not to exceed 14 days, these provisions were frequently ignored.

The report stated that police and security agencies often arrested individuals without warrants, sometimes holding them incommunicado or indefinitely. It added that bail conditions were arbitrary, and due process was not consistently observed, particularly in corruption-related cases.

Amnesty International was quoted as saying that the fate of “dozens of young men detained at SARS Awkuzu,” a disbanded police unit in Anambra State, has remained unknown since 2020.

On the judiciary, the report identified chronic shortages of judges, corruption, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and political interference as major obstacles to justice delivery. Some detainees, it noted, remained in custody longer than the maximum sentence for their alleged offences, with delays also caused by lack of vehicles to transport suspects to court or loss of case files.

Minimum Wage Undermined by Naira Depreciation

The US report further observed that the new N70,000 minimum wage has been eroded by the steep depreciation of the naira, pegging the wage at about $47.90 per month with the currency trading above N1,500 to the dollar.

It noted that while the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024 doubled the wage, most workers were excluded because the law applies only to firms with 25 or more employees. Enforcement gaps, weak penalties, and widespread informal employment—covering up to 80% of Nigeria’s workforce—further undermined labour rights.

The report also flagged shortcomings in protections for overtime and premium pay, and cited states that declined to implement the new wage due to financial constraints.

Child Rights Concerns

On child rights, the US criticised the persistence of early marriage despite a federal minimum marriage age of 18 years. It noted that while 35 states, with the exception of Zamfara, have domesticated the law, enforcement remains weak—particularly in northern states where customary and religious laws permit marriage for girls as young as 11.

The report acknowledged efforts by the Nigerian government and partners to engage religious leaders and traditional rulers on the health risks of child marriage.

Presidency Responds

Reacting to the report, the Presidency dismissed the concerns as overstated, insisting that both the judiciary and security agencies are addressing the identified challenges.

In a statement, Presidential Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, said judicial reforms are ongoing and pre-trial delays are gradually being reduced. He also noted that the administration has launched several initiatives to strengthen the justice system, including a national summit on justice opened by President Bola Tinubu in April 2024.

On security, Dare emphasised that coordination among security agencies has improved significantly. He cited the recent arrest of two leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group—praised by the US Mission in Nigeria—as evidence of progress.

“The security clean-up is ongoing, and several challenges have already abated,” he said.

Defending government economic policies, he added: “The naira has stabilised and the recalibration of the economy is yielding results. We are seeing positive macroeconomic indicators, and the currency will strengthen further with time.”