Legislature
NHRC Nominees Pass Senate Committee Screening as No Petition Emerges
By Bashir Meyere,Abuja
The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights has reiterated its commitment to advancing the public interest through diligent, objective, and purposeful legislative engagement.
The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ayodele Adeniyi, gave the assurance during the screening exercise of presidential nominees for appointment as Chairman and members of the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
He said the exercise was critical to the promotion and protection of human rights in the country, stressing the importance of approaching it with the seriousness, diligence, and impartiality it deserves.
He further stated that the committee considered it important to discharge its legislative responsibility effectively by scrutinising the qualifications, experience, competence, integrity, and suitability of the nominees before making appropriate recommendations to the Senate.
The chairman also explained that the commission plays an important role in strengthening constitutional democracy, promoting access to justice, and ensuring respect for fundamental human rights.
“Its mandate includes investigating complaints of human rights violations, conducting public inquiries into such violations, and making appropriate decisions and recommendations thereof.”
Senator Adeniyi also said the commission is expected to provide an accessible institutional platform for the protection and promotion of human rights, particularly for citizens who would otherwise be unable to access such support.
Meanwhile, all the nominees attended the screening exercise, and no petition was received against their nominations.
They also responded successfully to the committee’s questions, particularly Dr. Salamatu Huseni Suleiman, who has served as Minister of Women Affairs and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and is nominated for a second term as chairperson of the commission.
Members of the committee expressed satisfaction with the nominees’ experience and records of service across different fields. They also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making what they described as balanced nominations, comprising personalities from the legal profession, journalism, and other fields.
Notable among the nominees are journalists Ayo Adewuyi of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Maupe Ogun of Channels Television, as well as Suwaida Muhammad Ibrahim from Kano, a private legal practitioner.